Entity Diagram for Visual Studio

Entity Diagram for Visual Studio allows database developers to create Entity Relationship (ER) diagrams directly from the SQL code in the SQL Database project. In addition, the ER diagram stays in sync with all changes made to the table eliminating the need to maintain both the code and the diagram.

Highlights

1. Integrated directly into Visual Studio to take full advantage of the Integrated Development Environment.
2. Create a new diagram by simply choosing Project/Add New Item. Projects can support multiple diagrams for different areas of the database.
3. Add a new table to both the diagram and the project leveraging the New Table Wizard. The wizard will allow the creation of common fields used in many tables.
4. Table are fully synchronized to their underlying .sql file and can be refreshed individually or for the entire diagram.
5. Jump from the model to edit any table using Visual Studio's built-in table editor. Then quickly refresh the model with a simple right-click in the model.
6. Edit foreign key names and properly show the cardinality in the diagram.
7. Quickly arrange the tables in the model using hierarchical or radial patterns.
8. Export the model for sharing and printing to a variety of formats including jpg, png, xps and pdf.
9. Version control models in sync with database changes by checking in updates when the rest of the database changes are checked in.
10. Localized to English, Spanish and French.

New Table Wizard

Quickly create tables with properly named identifying columns, name columns, created and modified columns as well as timestamp and unique identifier columns. Tables are added to both the diagram and the database project.

Foreign Key Editor

Foreign keys are read from the table definition sql files and then represented in the diagram as identifying or non-identifying relationships. Cardinality, as well as Delete and Update Actions can be edited quickly through the foreign key editor.

Extended Property Editor

Extended properties can help to fully document the database objects and provide fuller context to users and to developers. However, managing extended properties in SQL Server is a difficult undertaking without a simpler interface for them. The Extended Property Editor allows for the adding, editing and deleting of extended properties on tables, columns, indexes, constraints and triggers.

Three default properties are initially available: Description, Logical Name and Value. Additional ones can be added through the extension options (Tools/Options/Entity Diagram/SQL)

More Information

Entity Diagram for Visual Studio supports both VS 2019 and VS 2022. For the Visual Studio 2019 version, go to Entity Diagram for Visual Studio X32

The trial version allows for the creation of diagrams with a maximum of ten (10) tables. A purchased license removes this limit and allows for any number of tables. For additional details about Entity Diagram for Visual Studio and to purchase licenses, visit the Shake Solutions website.

Releases

Release 1.0.3307

Corrected packaging of the Diagram item template. Users could not add a new Diagram with the original release.

Release 1.0.3305

Initial public release