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Define SQL Server Partition Functions

A partition function is the function that specifies how a table or index is partitioned. Use the SQL Server Partition Function Editor to define the properties of the partition boundaries in a SQL Server 2005 or 2008 physical model.

To define SQL Server partition functions

1. Click Target - SQL Server, Partition, Functions on the Model menu.

   The SQL Server Partition Function Editor opens.

2. Select the partition function in the Navigation Grid that you want to define and work with the following options:

   Note: Click New on the toolbar to create a new partition function. Use the Enter filter text box to filter a very large list of partition functions to quickly locate the one that you want to define.

   Name

   Displays the partition function name. You can change the partition function name in this field.

   Physical Data Type

   Specifies the data type of the column used for the partition. Select a data type from the drop-down list.

   Collation

   Specifies the default collation for the database. Enter the collation value in the column. If collation is not specified, the default collation of SQL Server is assigned.

   Generate

   Generates SQL during forward engineering. Clear the check box if you do not want to generate SQL.

3. Click the General tab and work with the following options:

   Range Partition Boundary Side

   Specifies if the range partition boundary is from the left or the right. Select one of the options from the drop-down list.

   Boundary Values

   Defines the boundary values for a partition function. The boundary value is a user-defined value for each partition. Click New on the toolbar to define a new boundary value or select one of the existing values and edit it.

4. (Optional) Click the Comment tab and enter any comments that you want to associate with the partition function.
5. (Optional) Click the Where Used tab to view where the partition function is used in the model.
6. (Optional) Click the UDP tab to work with user-defined properties for the partition function.
7. (Optional) Click the Notes tab to view history information and view or edit user notes.
8. Click Close.

   The partition function is defined and the SQL Server Partition Function Editor closes.

More information:

SQL Server Property Editors

Add a Comment in a Property Editor

Add a UDP in a SQL Server Physical Property Editor

Define SQL Server Partition Schemes