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.

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

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

-- 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 in SSMS, 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 the Create Partition option will open a wizard. The first page is a welcome page

Sql Table Partition – Select a Partition Column

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

On this page, you can either select the existing partition scheme or create a new scheme. If you are creating a theme for a new function, then the 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 a new scheme.

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

SQL Table Partition – Map Partition

You can use either the Left boundary or right boundary

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