SQL Table Partitioning using SSMS

In this article, we will show you, how to create SQL Table Partitioning using SSMS or Sql Server Management Studio.

TIP: Please refer Create Table Partition article to understand the steps involved in creating table partition using T-SQL Query.

For this demonstration, we are going to use the below shown table. This table is created from the Adventure Works DW database. You can use below SQL query to get the same data.

-- SQL Server Table Partitioning using SSMS
USE [AdventureWorksDW2014]
GO
SELECT CUST.[FirstName]
      ,CUST.[LastName]
      ,CUST.[EnglishEducation] AS Education
      ,CUST.[EnglishOccupation] AS Occupation
      ,CUST.[YearlyIncome] AS Income
      ,GEO.[City]
      ,GEO.[StateProvinceName] AS State
      ,GEO.[EnglishCountryRegionName] AS Country
      ,GEO.[PostalCode]
	  ,FACT.[OrderQuantity]
      ,FACT.[TotalProductCost] AS TotalCost
      ,FACT.[SalesAmount]
      ,FACT.[TaxAmt]
	  ,FACT.OrderDate
  FROM [DimGeography] AS GEO
  INNER JOIN [DimCustomer] AS CUST
  ON  GEO.[GeographyKey] = CUST.[GeographyKey]
  INNER JOIN [FactInternetSales] AS FACT
  ON CUST.CustomerKey = FACT.CustomerKey

See the data

SQL Table Partitioning using SSMS

To create a SQL Table Partitioning, please navigate to table on which you want to create partition. Next, right-click on it, and select Storage and then Create Partition option from the context menu.

Selecting Create Partition option will open a wizard. First page is a welcome page

Sql Table Partition – Select a Partition Column

In this page you have to select the column that you want to use as a partition column. In this example we are using Order Date column

Select a Partition Function – SQL Table Partition

Use this page to select the existing partition function, or create a new partition function. Let me create a new by assigning a name called Monthly Sales Function.

SQL Table Partition – Select a Partition Scheme

In this page you can either select the existing partition scheme, or create a new scheme. If you are creating theme for new function then existing partition scheme selection is greyed out. Let me create a new by assigning a name called Monthly Sales Scheme.

Let me show you, what will happen if you select the Existing partition function called Monthly partition. This partition was previously created using Query.

Now you can see, it is allowing you to select the existing scheme. Or, you can create new scheme.

Let me undo those two steps, and select New function, and New Scheme

SQL Table Partition – Map Partition

You can use either Left boundary, or right boundary

Use drop down box to select the Month names. Please use Set boundaries button to select the from date and to date, and Estimate Storage to estimate the required disk space.

Don’t forget to select PRIMARY file group (default one) otherwise, it will throw an error

SQL Table Partition – Select an Output Option

Either you can

• Create a Script, and run later.
• Run immediately- This will run this table partition script straight away
• Schedule: You can this script to run.

Select Run immediately option

Click Finish button to create a partition

We have successfully created a table partition using a wizard