SQL server schema and default schema

Question

I have a schema define in my database. Except now everytime I do a sql statement I have to provide the schema ... SELECT * FROM [myschema].table

I set the default schema for my user using management studio and also ran the ALTER USER myUser WITH DEFAULT_SCHEMA [myschema] and I still get the invalid object 'table' when writing a query without the schema (SELECT * FROM table)

Is there a way to write SELECT * FROM table without having to specify the schema name all the time?

It's on SQL 2005 using SQL Management Studio.

Answer 1

If you do not want to use "full qualified" SQl names, then you need to avoid creating your tables using any account or role that's not using the "dbo" default schema assigned. Why do you need to change the default schema on the user if you don't plan on using it?

Answer 2

Is the user an SA, if so it will not work, according to the documentation SA users are always defaulted to the dbo schema.

The value of DEFAULT_SCHEMA is ignored if the user is a member of the sysadmin fixed server role. All members of the sysadmin fixed server role have a default schema of dbo.

Answer 3

Couple of options:

1. Is your user listed under Security > Users (in SSMS)? Check the Properties (right click the name), and see if the Default schema is set in the context of the database, rather than the instance (which is what ALTER USER is setting).

2. Create a synonym for the table you want to reference:

   CREATE SYNONYM table_name  
      FOR [your_db].[your_schema].table_name
   

   ...which will affect everyone who doesn't use at least two name notation, in the context of that database. Read more about it here. But it is associated ultimately to a schema.

3. Check that the database selected in the "Available Databases" drop down (upper left, to the left of the Execute button) is correct.

4. Use three name notation when specifying table (and view) references:

   SELECT * 
     FROM [your_db].[your_schema].table_name