{"id":7650,"date":"2026-09-28T10:27:53","date_gmt":"2026-09-28T17:27:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/?p=7650"},"modified":"2026-09-28T11:53:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-28T18:53:40","slug":"vscode-mssql-september2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/vscode-mssql-september2026\/","title":{"rendered":"MSSQL Extension for VS Code: New Getting Started Page, Agent skills, SQL Formatter, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<p>Get started faster with common SQL workflows and resources in one place. The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MSSQL extension for VS Code<\/a>\u00a0v1.46 introduces a new\u00a0<strong>Getting Started page experience in Public Preview<\/strong>\u00a0with quick actions, guided walkthroughs, dev container templates, and one-click installation of the latest Microsoft SQL agent skills for GitHub Copilot. Available to all customers starting with this release, the skills can be installed by anyone. This release also brings the\u00a0<strong>SQL Formatter to General Availability<\/strong>\u00a0with more control over T-SQL style, along with reusable Object Explorer filters and expanded Data API builder capabilities.<\/p>\n<p>\ud83c\udfac Watch YouTube demo:<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_M293norHVQ\" width=\"560\" height=\"314\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2>What&#8217;s new in MSSQL extension for VS Code v1.46<\/h2>\n<p>Here&#8217;s a summary of the key features in this release:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Getting Started page experience (Preview)<\/strong>: Start common tasks, follow guided workflows, use dev container templates, and add Microsoft SQL agent skills to GitHub Copilot.<\/li>\n<li><strong>SQL Formatter (GA)<\/strong>: Format T-SQL on demand or on save with expanded style options.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Reusable Object Explorer filters<\/strong>: Save frequently used filters by name or quickly reapply recent filters across compatible folders.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Data API builder improvements<\/strong>: Configure APIs for more database objects and data types with finer exposure and permission controls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Getting Started page experience (Preview)<\/h2>\n<p>The new\u00a0<strong>Getting Started page<\/strong>\u00a0puts common actions, guided workflows, and learning resources in one place.<\/p>\n<h3>Key highlights<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Start quickly<\/strong>: Add a connection, deploy a database, create a query or notebook, open a SQL file, or return to recent work.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Follow guided workflows<\/strong>: Learn core database tasks, build an app, or explore GitHub Copilot for SQL.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Use ready-to-run templates<\/strong>: Add a dev container for .NET, .NET Aspire, Node.js, or Python with Azure SQL.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Discover more<\/strong>: Find features, shortcuts, release notes, videos, documentation, and feedback links.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/getting-started.gif\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7666\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/getting-started.gif\" alt=\"getting started image\" width=\"1632\" height=\"918\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h3>Add Microsoft SQL agent skills to GitHub Copilot<\/h3>\n<p>Microsoft SQL agent skills are now available to all customers, starting the same day as the MSSQL extension v1.46 release. Select\u00a0<strong>Add to GitHub Copilot<\/strong>\u00a0on either plugin card to install the latest skills:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Microsoft SQL<\/strong>: Connect apps, design schemas, write queries, add vector search, and troubleshoot database issues.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Microsoft SQL migration<\/strong>: Assess, plan, run, and validate migrations to Azure SQL.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each card lists its skills and includes prompts you can copy or open in GitHub Copilot Chat. Add your application or database details before sending. For example:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><code>Scaffold the schema, migrations, and data layer for this app.<\/code><\/li>\n<li><code>Add native vector search and verify the index is used.<\/code><\/li>\n<li><code>Assess my database for migration to Azure SQL.<\/code><\/li>\n<li><code>Validate my migration before I cut over.<\/code><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/agent-skills.gif\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7673\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/agent-skills.gif\" alt=\"agent skills image\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Learn more, browse other Microsoft SQL plugins, and install them in any other agent tool of your choice, including GitHub Copilot CLI, Claude, Cursor, Codex, and more at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/microsoftsql-skills\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Microsoft SQL agent skills<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>SQL Formatter (GA)<\/h2>\n<p>The built-in\u00a0<strong>SQL Formatter<\/strong>\u00a0is now generally available. Built on\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/github.com\/microsoft\/sqlscriptdom\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ScriptDOM<\/a>, it formats a document or selection on demand or whenever you save. Run\u00a0<strong>Format Document<\/strong>\u00a0or\u00a0<strong>Format Selection<\/strong>\u00a0from the editor context menu or Command Palette. You can also use\u00a0<kbd>Shift<\/kbd>+<kbd>Alt<\/kbd>+<kbd>F<\/kbd>\u00a0on Windows and Linux or\u00a0<kbd>Shift<\/kbd>+<kbd>Option<\/kbd>+<kbd>F<\/kbd>\u00a0on macOS. This release adds more options under\u00a0<strong>Mssql<\/strong>\u00a0&gt;\u00a0<strong>Format<\/strong>\u00a0in the Visual Studio Code Settings editor:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Alignment<\/strong>: Align clause bodies with their keywords or indent them on the next line.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Casing and identifiers<\/strong>: Format built-in functions and object names, and add, remove, or preserve optional square brackets.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Statement style<\/strong>: Control alias syntax, comma placement and spacing, trailing\u00a0<code>GO<\/code>\u00a0separators, and semicolon terminators for blocks.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Multiline lists<\/strong>: Format\u00a0<code>GROUP BY<\/code>,\u00a0<code>HAVING<\/code>,\u00a0<code>IN<\/code>, nested functions,\u00a0<code>ORDER BY<\/code>,\u00a0<code>PARTITION BY<\/code>, procedure parameters, and\u00a0<code>WITH<\/code>\/<code>OPTION<\/code>\u00a0values across lines.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Joins and batches<\/strong>: Place joined sources and\u00a0<code>ON<\/code>\u00a0clauses on new lines, and control spacing after batches and top-level statements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For full documentation and setting defaults, see\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-formatter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">SQL formatter<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/sql-formatter.gif\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7669\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/sql-formatter.gif\" alt=\"sql formatter image\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>Save and reuse Object Explorer filters<\/h2>\n<p>The\u00a0<strong>Object Explorer Filters<\/strong> dialog now keeps recently applied filters and lets you save frequently used filters by name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h3><a href=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/oe-filter-saving.gif\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7668\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/oe-filter-saving.gif\" alt=\"oe filter saving image\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" \/><\/a><\/h3>\n<h2>Data API builder improvements<\/h2>\n<p>The\u00a0<strong>Build Data API<\/strong>\u00a0experience now restores each database&#8217;s saved API design and expands what you can configure:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>More database objects<\/strong>: Create endpoints for views and stored procedures, and assign logical keys to tables or views without a primary key.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Finer controls<\/strong>: Set per-entity REST, GraphQL, and MCP exposure, plus actions and column access for anonymous and authenticated roles.<\/li>\n<li><strong>More supported data<\/strong>:\u00a0<code>vector<\/code>\u00a0and\u00a0<code>json<\/code>\u00a0data types are now supported when configuring APIs.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Clearer status<\/strong>: Review exposure and permissions in the entity grid with accurate counts and readable labels.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/dab.gif\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7667\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/56\/2026\/09\/dab.gif\" alt=\"dab image\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>Next steps<\/h2>\n<p>If there&#8217;s something you&#8217;d love to see in a future update, here&#8217;s how you can contribute:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\ud83d\udcac\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-discussions\">GitHub discussions<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Share your ideas and suggestions to improve the extension<\/li>\n<li>\u2728\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-feature-request\">New feature requests<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Request missing capabilities and help shape future updates<\/li>\n<li>\ud83d\udc1e\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-bug\">Report bugs<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 Help us track down and fix issues to make the extension more reliable<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you&#8217;d like to learn more about the MSSQL extension, you can:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\ud83c\udfac\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-demos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Watch the demos<\/a>: Explore key features through our YouTube playlist<\/li>\n<li>\ud83e\udd16\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-copilot-demos\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Watch the GitHub Copilot demos<\/a>: Learn how to use GitHub Copilot to write, explain, and refactor your database schema<\/li>\n<li>\ud83d\udcdd\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-blogs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Read the blog posts<\/a>: Learn from use cases, walkthroughs, and product updates<\/li>\n<li>\ud83d\udcd6\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-docs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Read the documentation<\/a>: Get started or go deep with our official docs<\/li>\n<li>\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/vscode-mssql-roadmap#2026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">Check out the roadmap<\/a>: See what&#8217;s coming next, including upcoming features and improvements<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Thanks for being part of the journey\u2014happy coding! \ud83d\ude80<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Get started faster with common SQL workflows and resources in one place. The\u00a0MSSQL extension for VS Code\u00a0v1.46 introduces a new\u00a0Getting Started page experience in Public Preview\u00a0with quick actions, guided walkthroughs, dev container templates, and one-click installation of the latest Microsoft SQL agent skills for GitHub Copilot. Available to all customers starting with this release, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":187531,"featured_media":81,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,580,669,533,625],"tags":[682],"class_list":["post-7650","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-azure-sql","category-data-api-builder","category-github-copilot","category-visual-studio-code","category-vs-code","tag-vscode-mssql"],"acf":[],"blog_post_summary":"<p>Get started faster with common SQL workflows and resources in one place. The\u00a0MSSQL extension for VS Code\u00a0v1.46 introduces a new\u00a0Getting Started page experience in Public Preview\u00a0with quick actions, guided walkthroughs, dev container templates, and one-click installation of the latest Microsoft SQL agent skills for GitHub Copilot. Available to all customers starting with this release, the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7650","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/187531"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7650"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7650\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7687,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7650\/revisions\/7687"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7650"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7650"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/azure-sql\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7650"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}