ANNOTATE AND FORMAT SSIS CONTROL AND DATA FLOW

SQL Server Data Tools provides tools to easily format the package layout. The formatting features include the ability to make shapes the same size, align shapes, and change the horizontal and vertical spacing between shapes.

Format the layout of the data flow

1. If the Lesson 1 package isn’t already open, double-click Lesson 1.dtsx in Solution Explorer.
2. Select the Data Flow tab.
3. To select all the data flow components at once, use Edit > Select All.

4. On the Format menu, select Make Same Size, and then select Both.

5. With the data flow objects selected, on the Format menu, select Align, and then select Centers or anyhow you want it. You can also leave it this way.

6. With the data flow objects selected, on the Format menu, point to Vertical Spacing, and then select Make Equal.

Add an annotation to the data flow

1. Go to control flow, Right-click anywhere in the background of the data flow design surface and then select Add Annotation.

2. Enter or paste the following text in the annotation box.

The data flow extracts data from a file, looks up values in the CurrencyKey column in the DimCurrency table and the DateKey column in the DimDate table, and writes the data to the NewFactCurrencyRate table.

To wrap the text in the annotation box, place the cursor where you want to start a new line and press Enter.

If you don’t add text to the annotation box, the box disappears when you click outside it. Because of this behavior, if you want to paste text in the annotation box then copy the text to the clipboard before selecting Add Annotation