Generate a User Report in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

In this guide, you'll learn how to generate a user report in SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) by querying database principals. This method retrieves user details, including name, type, and creation date, for effective database user management.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio and Connect

Start by opening SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and connecting to your SQL Server instance.

2. Select the Target Database

In the Object Explorer, expand the Databases folder and select the specific database where you want to generate the user report.

3. Open a New Query Window

Right-click on the selected database and choose New Query to open a new SQL query window.

4. Enter the SQL Query

Copy and paste the following SQL query to retrieve the user information:

SELECT name, type_desc, create_date, modify_date
FROM sys.database_principals
WHERE type IN ('S', 'U', 'G')
ORDER BY type_desc, name;

This query will pull information such as the user’s name, type, creation date, and modification date from the sys.database_principals system view.

5. Execute the Query

Run the query by clicking the Execute button or pressing F5. The results will appear in the Results window.

6. Export or Copy Results

You can export the results to a file or copy them to another application for further analysis or reporting.

Conclusion

Following these steps allows you to generate a comprehensive report of users in your SQL Server database using SSMS. This report can be invaluable for database management, providing quick access to user details and role information.