sp_depends (T-SQL)

Displays information about database object dependencies (for example, the views and procedures that depend on a table or view, and the tables and views that are depended on by the view or procedure). References to objects outside the current database are not reported.

Syntax

sp_depends [@objname =] 'object'

Arguments

[@objname =] 'object': The database object to examine for dependencies. The object can be a table, view, stored procedure, or trigger. object is nvarchar(776), with no default.

Return Code Values

0 (success) or 1 (failure)

Result Sets

sp_depends displays two result sets.

This result set shows the objects on which object depends.

Column name	Data type	Description
name	nvarchar(40)	Name of the item for which a dependency exists
type	nvarchar(16)	Type of the item
updated	nvarchar(7)	Whether the item is updated
selected	nvarchar(8)	Whether the item is used in a SELECT statement
column	sysname	Column or parameter on which the dependency exists

This result set shows the objects that depend on object.

Column name	Data type	Description
name	nvarchar(40)	Name of the item for which a dependency exists
type	nvarchar(16)	Type of the item

Remarks

An object that references another object is considered dependent on that object. sp_depends determines the dependencies by looking at the sysdepends table.

Permissions

Execute permissions default to the public role.

Examples

This example lists the database objects that depend on the Customers table.

USE Northwind

EXEC sp_depends 'Customers'

CREATE PROCEDURE	EXECUTE
CREATE TABLE	sp_help
CREATE VIEW	System Stored Procedures