SQL Server 2025 – What’s New and How to Visualize the Schema

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Roxana Maria Haidiner

What’s New in SQL Server 2025

SQL Server 2025 brings several important updates that make databases smarter, faster, and more secure. Here’s a breakdown of the key features and what they mean for you.

1. Built-in AI and Semantic Search
2. Native JSON Support and Indexing
3. Performance Improvements
4. Improved Security
5. Better Cloud and Hybrid Integration
6. Database Visualization and Docs with DbSchema

1. Built-in AI and Semantic Search

SQL Server 2025 introduces advanced AI features to make querying and working with data more intuitive.

1.1 Natural Language Queries

You can now ask questions in plain English, and SQL Server will interpret what you mean. This is useful if you don’t know exact column names or complex SQL syntax.

Example:

Assume you’re using the new VECTOR SEARCH or SEMANTIC SEARCH feature. While the exact final syntax may vary, Microsoft has previewed something like this:

SELECT TOP 3 *
FROM Products
WHERE ProductName
SEMFREETEXT 'something I can use for breakfast';

Instead of searching by exact product name, this query finds products similar to what someone might want for breakfast, based on meaning, not keywords.

1.2 Vector Search

SQL Server supports finding results that are similar in meaning, not just exact matches. This is helpful for use cases like product recommendations or document searches.

Example:

This example shows how to find similar rows using vector indexes (for product recommendations, for example).

SELECT TOP 5 p.ProductName
FROM Products p
ORDER BY p.Description_Vector
<-> VECTOR('[0.12, 0.98, -0.45, ...]');

Here, the Description_Vector is a precomputed embedding of the product’s description. The <-> operator finds the closest match between that vector and your input vector (representing the query meaning).

1.3 External AI Models in SQL

With the new CREATE EXTERNAL MODEL command, you can link external AI models (like OpenAI or Azure ML) to your database. This allows you to run AI tasks right from your SQL queries.

Example:

With CREATE EXTERNAL MODEL, you can hook into AI models like OpenAI (via Azure) to process text:

CREATE EXTERNAL MODEL RecommendProducts
WITH (
    LOCATION = 'https://my-model-endpoint.azurewebsites.net',
    AUTHENTICATION = (API_KEY = 'your-api-key-here')
);

Then you can use it in a query like this:

SELECT dbo.RecommendProducts('I want a healthy snack')
AS ProductSuggestion;

This lets you call an AI model directly from SQL to get dynamic responses like product suggestions or document summaries.

Read more from the official documentation.

2. Native JSON Support and Indexing

SQL Server 2025 improves how JSON is handled inside the database.

2.1 Native JSON Data Type

SQL Server 2025 introduces a dedicated JSON data type, which makes it easier to store structured data in a single column.

CREATE TABLE Products (
    Id INT PRIMARY KEY,
    ProductName NVARCHAR(100),
    Specs JSON
);

You can now store a JSON document like this:

INSERT INTO Products (Id, ProductName, Specs)
VALUES (
    1,
    'Smartphone X',
    '{"color": "black", "storage": "128GB", "features": ["5G", "NFC"]}'
);

2.2 Efficient Storage

JSON documents up to 2GB can be stored, and they are handled more efficiently than before.

• No special action is needed on your part, SQL Server automatically uses its internal binary format for faster parsing, less memory use, and more efficient storage.

2.3 Better Performance

You can now create indexes on specific fields inside your JSON data. Here’s how:

CREATE INDEX idx_specs_storage
ON Products ((CAST(JSON_VALUE(Specs, '$.storage') AS NVARCHAR(50))));

This index makes it faster to run queries like:

SELECT ProductName
FROM Products
WHERE JSON_VALUE(Specs, '$.storage') = '128GB';

• JSON_VALUE pulls out a specific value from your JSON column.

• By indexing this expression, your search runs faster, even if the data is inside a JSON blob.

Read more from the official documentation.

3. Performance Improvements

SQL Server 2025 brings several updates that make it faster and more efficient, especially under heavy workloads. Here’s what changed and why it matters:

These improvements are automatic, you don’t have to change your code to benefit. But they make a big difference, especially for busy or large databases.

4. Improved Security

SQL Server 2025 includes new security features that protect your data more effectively and reduce manual effort.

5. Better Cloud and Hybrid Integration

SQL Server 2025 makes it easier to connect your databases across environments, whether they’re in the cloud, on-premise, or a mix of both.

5.1 Azure Arc Support

You can now manage databases from different places (local or cloud) in one consistent way – using a single control panel.

No need to switch tools or environments.
Official Website

5.2 Microsoft Fabric Integration

Query data from multiple sources – even if it lives in different systems, without moving or copying it.

This makes reporting and analytics much easier and faster.
Official Website

5.3 Data Mirroring to the Cloud

You can sync your local (on-premise) databases to the cloud, automatically.

Use it for real-time backups, reporting, or running AI tools in the cloud — without risking your live system.

Read more here

These features help teams that need flexibility, scalability, and a smooth way to connect on-prem data with cloud tools, without losing control.

How to Use SQL Server 2025 with DbSchema

DbSchema is a visual database design and management tool that works with both SQL and NoSQL databases. It supports SQL Server 2025, so you can connect, design, and document your database structure visually – even if you’re working with the latest version.

While DbSchema doesn’t yet integrate directly with the new AI features introduced in SQL Server 2025, it still offers powerful tools that help you manage your database more easily and clearly.

Here’s how you can use DbSchema for free:

1. Visual Database Design

• Reverse Engineer Your Database: Load your schema from SQL Server 2025 into DbSchema to view it as a diagram.
• Drag-and-Drop Editing: Add tables, change columns, or create relationships visually.
• No SQL Needed: You don’t have to write SQL to design or modify the schema.

2. Database Documentation

• HTML5 Documentation: Automatically generate full documentation for your schema.
• Share with Your Team: Everyone can understand the structure without opening the database directly.
• Add Notes: You can explain table purposes, column meanings, and data types.

Learn more about how to document your SQL Server database

3. Schema Synchronization

• Compare Model with Live Database: Detect differences between your visual model and the real database.
• Generate Update Scripts: Apply changes safely, with full control.
• Keep Everything in Sync: Ensure documentation and schema are always up to date.

4. Track Schema Changes with Git

• Work as a Team: Multiple people can work on the same schema using Git.
• Track Changes: See who made what change and when.
• Use Branches: Test updates without breaking the main design.

5. Relational Data Editor

DbSchema includes a Relational Data Editor that helps you explore and edit data easily, without writing SQL code.

• View Related Records: Select a row, and the editor automatically shows related rows from other tables based on foreign keys.

• Edit Data Visually: You can update, insert, or delete records directly from the table view, just like editing a spreadsheet.

• Offline Editing: Make changes in your local model first, then commit them to the database later. This is useful when you’re planning changes but want to review them first.

• Great for Understanding Relationships: It’s a practical way to learn how tables are connected and how data flows between them.

Final Thoughts

SQL Server 2025 adds powerful new features, especially around AI, performance, and security. While some of these features require code or Microsoft’s tools, DbSchema remains a strong visual companion.

You can design, explore, document, and manage your SQL Server 2025 database visually, making your workflow faster and easier, even if you’re new to databases.

Official Microsoft SQL Server 2025 Tutorial

If you want to watch a video tutorial from Microsoft, check it out here:

Watch on YouTube

This content originally appeared on DEV Community and was authored by Roxana Maria Haidiner