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sqlsql-serversql-server-2008

How can I find out what FOREIGN KEY constraint references a table in SQL Server?

I am trying to drop a table but getting the following message:

Msg 3726, Level 16, State 1, Line 3
Could not drop object 'dbo.UserProfile' because it is referenced by a FOREIGN KEY constraint.
Msg 2714, Level 16, State 6, Line 2
There is already an object named 'UserProfile' in the database.

I looked around with SQL Server Management Studio but I am unable to find the constraint. How can I find out the foreign key constraints?

Solution

  • Here it is:

    SELECT 
   OBJECT_NAME(f.parent_object_id) TableName,
   COL_NAME(fc.parent_object_id,fc.parent_column_id) ColName
FROM 
   sys.foreign_keys AS f
INNER JOIN 
   sys.foreign_key_columns AS fc 
      ON f.OBJECT_ID = fc.constraint_object_id
INNER JOIN 
   sys.tables t 
      ON t.OBJECT_ID = fc.referenced_object_id
WHERE 
   OBJECT_NAME (f.referenced_object_id) = 'YourTableName'

    This way, you'll get the referencing table and column name.