Database documentation generators for SQL Server

List of tools that automatically generate documentation for your database. For more advanced capabilities see Database Documentation Tools

Dataedo

Dataedo enables you to create data documentation of your existing databases. It reads your schema and lets you easily describe each data element (tables and columns) and other database objects (like triggers, stored procedures, etc.) visually as ER diagrams.

Commercial: Commercial
Dependencies: Yes
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: Yes
Export: HTML,MS Excel,PDF
Free edition: No
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows

SchemaSpy

SchemaSpy is a Java-based tool that analyzes the metadata of a schema in a database and generates an interactive entity-relationship diagram in a browser-displayable format.

Commercial: Free
Dependencies: Yes
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: Yes
Export: HTML
Free edition: Yes
Runs on: (for desktop): Linux,Mac OS,Windows

SchemaCrawler

SchemaCrawler is a free database schema discovery and comprehension tool. Using the tool, you can search for database schema objects using regular expressions, and output the schema and data in a readable text format. The output serves for database documentation and is designed to be diff-ed against other database schemas.

Commercial: Free
Dependencies: Yes
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: Yes
Export: CSV,HTML,JSON,Plain text
Free edition: Yes
Runs on: (for desktop): Linux,Mac OS,Windows

SQL Schema Explorer (discontinued)

SQL Schema Explorer is a open-source tool that creates a dynamic website visible only to you that gives you effortless access to the tables, relationships and data in your database.

Commercial: Free
Dependencies: Yes
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: No
Export: HTML
Free edition: Yes
Runs on: (for desktop): Linux,Mac OS,Windows

Spectral Core Documenter

Spectral Core Documenter is the easiest way to generate detailed documentation of your database. All tables, procedures, functions, triggers, and user-defined types are listed with every detail.

Commercial: Commercial
Dependencies: No
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: No
Export: CSV,HTML
Free edition: No
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows

SQL Documentation Tool

SQL Documentation tool provides automatic documentation of entire SQL Server databases. It documents the main entities in a database, including tables, views, functions, stored procedures, triggers, table indexes, dependency information, DTS packages, and full text indexes. The transact SQL code associated with views, stored procedures, and triggers is also included with the documentation.

Commercial: Commercial
Dependencies: Yes
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: No
Export: HTML,HTML Help,MS Word,Plain text,RTF
Free edition: No
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows

dbForge Documenter for SQL Server

dbForge Documenter for SQL Server is a universal software solution that helps automate the creation of your database documentation. It supports a selection of individual database objects and their properties that will be documented.

Commercial: Commercial
Dependencies: Yes
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: No
Export: HTML,Markdown,PDF
Free edition: No
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows

DBDocumentor

DBDocumentor produces database documentation for the SQL objects in your database project. It generates a fully cross-referenced view of the SQL database, including where data is sourced from and what objects are modifying data in what other objects.

Commercial: Commercial
Dependencies: No
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: No
Export: CHM,HTML,XML
Free edition: No
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows

DB>doc for Microsoft SQL Server (discontinued)

DB>doc for Microsoft SQL Server is a free and open-source tool for generating database documentation. The tool will map database structure, read information about tables, views, constraints, etc., combine them with available descriptions and generate documentation in various formats.

Commercial: Free
Dependencies: No
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: No
Export: HTML
Free edition: Yes
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows

SQLDoc Sharp (discontinued)

SQLDoc Sharp is a free and open-source tool designed to generate the SQL Server (2005, 2008) documentation.

Commercial: Free
Dependencies: No
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: No
Export: CHM,XML
Free edition: Yes
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows

Data Dictionary Creator (discontinued)

Data Dictionary Creator (DDC) is a simple application which helps you document SQL Server databases. It stores all the information in Extended Properties, so it's easier to keep the documentation in sync with the database as it changes.

Commercial: Free
Dependencies: No
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: No
Export: HTML,MS Excel,MS Word
Free edition: Yes
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows

DBDocumenter (discontinued)

DBDocumenter is an interactive free and open source tool designed to generate SQL Server (2000, 2005, 2008) documentation.

Commercial: Free
Dependencies: No
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: No
Export: HTML
Free edition: Yes
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows

Turtle SQL (discontinued)

Turtle SQL is a free and open source tool designed to generate the SQL Server (2005, 2008, 2012) documentation.

Commercial: Free
Dependencies: No
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: No
Export: MS Excel,PDF,XML
Free edition: Yes
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows

ERBuilder Data Modeler

ERBuilder Data Modeler allows developers to graphically design databases by using entity relationship diagrams, and automatically generates the most popular SQL databases. It also allows developers to easily deploy databases by offering a sophisticated visual data modeling environment.

Commercial: Commercial
Dependencies: Yes
Desktop/Cloud: Desktop
ER Diagram: Yes
Export: HTML
Free edition: -
Runs on: (for desktop): Windows