# SQL Editor Preferences

SQL Editor preferences define the behavior of the SQL File Editor.

Table 1. SQL Editor preferences: General
Field | Description
--- | ---
Enable Syntax Validation | Automatically update SQL statement structure in outline view and perform syntax validation while editing (default). Disabling validation also disables portability checking and the Outline view.

Portability Check Target

Database type used as the standard target for portability checks. You must enable syntax validation to select a portability target.

Each line that is not portable to the target is annotated with a check .

You can display additional information for the target (including error messages) by moving your cursor over the marker, if you enable show detailed annotation information.

Maximum Number of Lines | Disable syntax validation when content exceeds this number of lines. Use this option to adjust editor performance. The default is 1000.
Prompt to Disable Syntax Validation When Content Exceeds Maximum Number of Lines | Select to prompt before disabling validation (default).
Show Detailed Annotation Information | Display additional annotation information, including lists of expected commands for the encountered syntax, if you enabled syntax validation.

Table 2. SQL Editor preferences: Typing
Field | Description and default values
--- | ---
Close Single Quotes | Automatically close single quotes ( ').
Close Double Quotes | Automatically close double quotes ( ").
Close Parentheses | Automatically close curly braces { }.
Close Comments | Automatically close comments ( /* */).
Begin-End | Automatically add the END statement (for Transact-SQL).

Related concepts
SQL File Editor
SQL Scrapbook
Related tasks
Setting SQL Development Preferences
Creating a SQL File
Editing a SQL File
Opening a SQL File
Saving a SQL File
Executing a SQL File
Related reference
Execution Plan View Options Preferences
General Preferences
SQL Query Builder Preferences
SQL Results View Options Preferences
Code Assist Preferences
SQL Files/Scrapbooks Preferences
Syntax Coloring Preferences
Templates Preferences