Insights How to Refresh the IntelliSense Cache in SQL Server Management Studio

How to Refresh the IntelliSense Cache in SQL Server Management Studio

As I read more and more through the Service Manager Forum questions, I’ve come to realize that many folks out there have little to no knowledge of SQL and how to actually use it to build out some of the custom reports they require.  Most of the comments I read from people state they are not DBAs and there is no $ in the budget to pay for one. Although I can’t solve that issue with a simple blog post (wouldn’t that be nice!), what I can do is try to post some helpful tips to help you learn on your own. In SQL Server Management Studio, like Visual Studio, is the IntelliSense feature (sometimes referred to as Auto Complete).  This handy feature helps you fill in the code as you type, and is super useful in SSMS when querying various Tables and Views. 

 But have you ever tried to use IntelliSense after creating a new Table or View?  If so, you will quickly notice that it doesn’t recognize your new object in the list.  This is particular frustrating since the Auto Correct feature will mark your columns as being errors even though they are not. 

 This is actually working as designed (although not as expected).  When you open a data source in SSMS, IntelliSense caches its data when it loads.  When you create your new Table or View, the cache needs to be updated to reflect your changes.  While you could close and reopen Management Studio (but who wants to do that?), you can follow one of these two simple and quick steps to refresh the IntelliSense local cache. 1.  With your focus in the Query window, select Edit –> IntelliSense –> Refresh Local Cache. 

 2.  With your focus in the Query window, press Ctrl+Shift+R. This will refresh your cache and now your query will be happy with you.  And everyone loves a happy query!