Find Empty Tables in SQL Server Database – All Methods Explained

Learning how to find empty tables in SQL Server is a trending topic these days as we’re getting loads of emails from users. When we looked into the matter, we found that the entire process isn’t that tough. It’s just that users aren’t aware of the right ways.

Therefore, this blog is going to explain reasons for users to execute SQL find empty tables operation, manual & advanced solutions, advantages & drawbacks of these methods, etc. Moreover, we are going to explain the best way to find non empty tables in SQL server if required by users.

Why Identify Empty Tables in SQL Server DB?

There are no fixed reasons why users undergo this procedure. The reasons vary from user to user based on different requirements, situations, & other factors. However, we have observed that some reasons are quite common among all the users. Let’s have a look at these common causes to get an estimated idea of why users want to check empty table in SQL databases.

Remove Unwanted Tables: Database management is one of the major reasons here. To clear the clutter, users often need to get rid of the empty tables in the SQL Server.

Verification of Data Pipelines: Whenever a user runs the data pipelines to fill up the tables,  they also try to cross-verify if the tables have been filled with the desired data or not.

Schema Examination: Damaged or corrupted schema also results in some empty tables. This is why users cross-check empty tables to determine schema-related issues.

Minimize Errors: The more sober a database looks, the minimum chances of errors there will be. Empty tables often confuse users in various operations leading to data losses.

Apart from these, there can be other reasons as well for users to identify the empty tables in SQL database. However, as we know he story, now we can proceed further towards the best way to solve this issue.

How to Find Empty Tables in SQL Server Step by Step

Using SysTools MDF Viewer Free Download version, users can easily check empty table in SQL. This advanced software is specially made for viewing the database objects of SQL Server database without its native environment. Therefore, it’s also capable of both empty as well as non empty tables.

Download the tool & then follow the simple 4 steps as mentioned below:

Step-1. Open the Software by double click & Click on the Open button.

Step-2. Now, simply browse and then Add MDF files in the application.

Step-3. Select the Quick or Advance Scan as per the corruption in files.

Step-4. View that tables that are not shown in bold black color are empty.

Note: Users can also add corresponding NDF files for the MDF files in case of requirement as the software can auto-detect that as well. However, the condition is that the NDF must be present in the same folder as MDF.

Tool Features to Check Empty Table in SQL Server

We have seen how efficiently this advanced tool can fix the problems of users. This Software comes with various features that allow users to use it to simpy many such issues. Some of the features of this tool are mentioned here.

• Users can find empty tables in SQL Server database.
• Also, find non empty tables in SQL server is required.
• Check SQL server objects without SQL environments.
• There is no limitation on the size of the MDF & NDF files.
• The software supports bulk MDF & NDF files for scan.
• Quick and Advanced scan modes for corrupted files.
• It can also preview deleted files of the SQL Server.
• Supports SQL Server versions from 2000 to 2022.

Apart from these, there are several other features present in this utility to identify empty tables in SQL Server DB. This makes it the leader in this category without a doubt.

Also Read: How to Merge MDF and NDF Files in SQL Server Database?

Query to Find Empty Tables SQL Server

Now, even though the automated tool is free of cost & quite advanced, we have a manual solution also. We are mentioning it to provide users an alternative if they are unable to use the automated tool. Therefore, they just have to execute the following commands.

SELECT s.Name + '.' + t.name AS table_name
FROM sys.tables t
INNER JOIN sys.schemas s ON s.schema_id = t.schema_id
INNER JOIN sys.partitions p ON t.object_id = p.object_id AND p.index_id IN (0, 1) 
WHERE p.rows = 0
ORDER BY table_name;

Yes, this command looks complex & confusing which is why, many users end up losing their data. Therefore, it’s safer for users to opt for the advanced solution.

Drawbacks to Find Empty Tables in SQL Server Manually

Now, the manual method is not as simple as it looks like. There are a few negative impacts present here as well. These shortcomings of using query to find empty tables SQL Server are mentioned below:

• Requires SQL Server Proficiency.
• No Advance Features Present Here.
• No Surety of Getting Expected Results.
• Inefficient; Takes More Time & Resources.
• Holds Risk of Severe Data Loss or Corruption. 

How to Find Non Empty Tables in SQL Server If Required?

What if users want to check the non-empty tables in SQL Server? The automated solution is effective here as well. The process is also the same as mentioned above just one thing is different.

As shown in the image below, all the tables shown in black bold color are tables with data in them. This is the easiest way to identify nonempty tables in an SQL Server database.

The Final Say

Now, users are aware of the best ways to know how to find empty tables in SQL Server database. Both manual & automated solutions are stated below for users to identify empty tables in SQL Server. Moreover, in case users need to know how to find non empty tables in SQL server, the automated solution is capable of that as well.

Moving ahead, we can say that by using query to check empty tables SQL Server, users might face various difficulties. Whereas, the automated solution comes with more accurate & easy to use functionalities.