Question

Import Database Diagram into Word or Visio

Asked by: quiTech

Is there an easy way (other than taking a screenshot with PrintScreen) to import a SQL 2005 database diagram into MS Word XP or MS Visio 2007?

Screenshots work fine for smaller diagrams, but often this is not sufficient.  Any help is appreciated.

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Asked On
2008-01-18 at 15:02:47ID23094889
Tags

visio

,

database

,

import

,

diagram

,

word

Topics

Microsoft Visio

,

MS SQL Server

,

Microsoft Word

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
5

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Answers

 

by: scottPosted on 2008-01-18 at 17:25:17ID: 20695565

I'm not familiar enough with SQL Server to know what you mean by a "SQL 2005 database diagram" -- is this an image generated by SQL Server? If so, then at the risk of stating the obvious, Visio can import just about any kind of graphic.

So, if your question is how to export from SQL Server, I'll let one of the SQL folks jump in. If your question is about importing into Visio, let me know what you can produce and I'll be happy to describe your Visio import options.

Scott

 

by: quiTechPosted on 2008-01-18 at 17:38:50ID: 20695613

Thanks Scott!  I wish it were as easy as importing an image.  

Basically the SQL database diagrams are a way of visually designing tables and their relationships.  

Maybe I'm not really asking to import a database diagram, as I'm asking to create a database diagram in Visio from a SQL database.  Maybe there's a way of Visio reading the schema?  Just tossing out ideas...

 

by: scottPosted on 2008-01-18 at 18:15:34ID: 20695726

I figured it couldn't be that easy...

Have you looked at the Visio 2007 Database Model Diagram template (located in the Software and Database folder)? When I launch it, there is a menu called Database with a entry on it called "Reverse Engineer..."  Selecting that entry launches something called the Reverse Engineer Wizard which says I can "extract a database schema from an existing database by reverse engineering."  SQL Server is one of the installed Visio drivers.

I don't have a SQL Server database with which to try it, but I just pointed the wizard at an Access database and Visio created a diagram for me. Don't know whether it's what you have in mind but it certainly looks promising...

 

by: quiTechPosted on 2008-01-18 at 21:10:44ID: 20696274

Perfect.  Exactly what I'm looking for.  Thanks!

 

by: pacman_dPosted on 2008-08-07 at 08:09:12ID: 22181712

very nice. worked for me as well!

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