Question

I’m looking for easy way to count all rows within one SQL Server 2005/2008 database (skipping the system tables of course)? I know i could use

SELECT COUNT (COLUMN) FROM TABLE

and do it for each table and then add it up but would prefer some automated way?

Is there one?

Answer 1

SELECT SUM(row_count)
    FROM sys.dm_db_partition_stats
    WHERE index_id IN (0,1)
    AND OBJECTPROPERTY([object_id], 'IsMsShipped') = 0;

This will be accurate except for, potentially, any rows that are being added or removed within a transaction at the time you run the query. And it won’t have the expense of hitting individual tables.

But as I mentioned in another comment, I’m not sure how this helps you determine “how much data” your database holds. How many rows, sure, but if I have 10 glasses, each half full of water, and you have 5 glasses, each completely full, which of us has more water?