Prompting for values in SQL script

This is something that I forget 2 seconds after I’ve used it so now I’ll put it here as a note to self.

I have a series of TSQL scripts that I use once in different circumstances and often it’s a while between each go. In some of the I need to add some environment specific information and instead of having to scroll down through the text the query editor offers a way of prompting for parameters through a tagging of text like this:

select <Parameter name, Data type, Default value>

Before executing the script you press CTRL+SHIFT+M (this is the part I usually forget) and that makes the editor prompt you like this:

Replace the Default value with the appropriate text and click OK. This will update your SQL script to this:

select 1234

Not the most mind-blowing thing in the world, but a great help.