Toad for SQL Server 8.1 - Installation Guide

Project Manager

Use the Project Manager to conveniently group and organize files and other resources into projects. These resources can include Toad documents (Query Builder files, ER Diagrams, Toad Data Reports, Editor files), Automation scripts, database objects, database connections, URLs, directory shortcuts, SQL scripts, Toad Views, executables, Excel files, etc. You can save nearly any Toad document or exported file and add it to a project as you work. You can even add To-Do lists.

The file resources you add can be files saved and stored in a variety of locations. When you add a file to a project, a link to the file's current location is added. The file is not copied or moved.

In addition to the Project Manager, you can organize Toad documents and other files using the Library. See Organize Files Using the Library for more information.

Note: 

• A default project named Project is included with Toad. You can rename or remove the default project, however, at least one project must exist in the Project Manager.  

To create a project in the Project Manager

1. Select View | Project Manager (ALT+V+P).

2. Click in the Project Manager toolbar.
3. Enter a name for the project.

To add items to a project using the Project Manager

1. Right-click a project or folder, select Add, and then select from the following: 

   New Folder	Adds a new folder that you can use to group resources within the project.
   Directory (Links)	Adds a link to a system folder in the project. You can click the link to open Windows Explorer in Toad, and then select a file to open.
   Directory Items	Adds the contents of the selected system folder and any subfolders to the project. Note: You cannot add directory items to the project node. You must first create a folder, and then add the directory items to it.
   Existing File	Adds a file to the project, including the following types: queries from Query Builder,Database Diagrams, Automation scripts, executables, Excel spreadsheets, Word files, and SQL scripts. A link to the file is added to the project. Tip: You can double-click any file to open it.
   FTP Connection	Adds a connection to an FTP server. After creating a connection, double-clicking this item opens a window from which you can upload, download, and manage files between the server and your local computer.
   URL	Adds a URL to the project. You can right-click a URL and select Rename to give the URL a user-friendly name. Tip: You can double-click any URL to open it.
   Database Connection	Adds an existing database connection. Note: After adding a connection, right-click the connection to connect or disconnect.
   To-Do List	Adds a node to group to-do items.
   To-Do Item	Adds a note regarding a project task. Tip: You can double-click the note to add details or set a due date. When you complete a To Do item, select the checkbox beside its node. If you do not select the checkbox by the due date, the caption displays in red.
   Named SQL	Adds executed SQL statements that you saved as Named SQL in SQL Recall. See Recall SQL Statements for more information.

To save a script and add it to a project

1. Open the project in the Project Manager window.
2. With the Automation script window open, select from the Automation toolbar. Toad saves the script as a file to the location you select and also adds the script to the open project (in a special folder).

To add a Toad View to a project

1. Open the project in the Project Manager window and select a destination folder.
2. Right-click the Toad View in the Toad Views pane and select Add to Project.

To add a table or database object to a project

1. Open the project in the Project Manager window and select a destination folder.

2. Then, in the Object Explorer, do one of the following:

   • Right-click the table and select Send To | Project Manager.
   • Select the table and click in the Explorer toolbar.

To open a file from the Project Manager window

Do one of the following:

• To open the file in its own window in Toad, right-click a file and select Open.
• To open the file's location folder, right-click a file and select Browse. The folder opens in a Windows Explorer window with the file selected.

Storing Bind Variable Values

You can use this feature in the Project Manager to store a value for a bind variable. Then, when you execute a SQL statement containing that bind variable, Toad will not prompt you for a value.

To store a value for a Bind Variable

1. Click in the Project Manager toolbar.
2. Enter a name and a value for the bind variable, and specify a data type.

Note: See Using Bind Variables for more information.

Projects And the Project Manager File

The Project Manager uses a project manager (.tpf) file to store the information about the projects you create and manage in the Project Manager. One project manager file can include the information for multiple projects. Toad comes pre-loaded with a default project manager (.tpf) file named ProjectManager.tpf. This file includes the information for the default project, Sample Project.

When you create a project in the Project Manager, the project is added to the currently-loaded project manager (.tpf) file. Initially, this is the ProjectManager.tpf file.

You can create additional project manager (.tpf) files, if necessary. Only one project manager (.tpf) file can be loaded into the Project Manager at one time. But one project manager (.tpf) file can contain multiple named projects.

To create additional project manager (.tpf) files, perform a Save As action on the default file, ProjectManager.tpf.

To create an additional project manager (.tpf) file

1. Perform a Save As operation on the default ProjectManager.tpf file (or the currently-loaded project manager file) by clicking .
2. Then select a new location or enter a new file name to create a new project manager (.tpf) file.
3. Click Save to save the file. The new project manager (.tpf) file is saved and loaded into the Project Manager window. Because the Save As operation was used, the new (.tpf) file is a copy of the original.
4. To determine which project manager file is currently loaded in the Project Manager, hover over the Project name in the Project Manager window. The project manager (.tpf) file name and file path are displayed in a tooltip.

Note: You can specify a default location for the currently-loaded .tpf file in Tools | Options | Environment | Network Share. See Network Share Options for more information.

To load a saved project manager (.tpf) file

• Click the arrow beside and select a project manager (.tpf) file from the list of saved files.

  Note: A .tpf file appears in this list only if it was opened in a current or previous Toad session.

Using the Project Manager

• Missing file. If a file is missing from the location specified in its link, it is identified as a missing file by and gray text.
• Move items and folders. Drag and drop to move folders and items to different nodes within a project.
• Sort items. To sort items in a project or folder, right-click the project or folder and select Sort. Items are sorted in alphabetical order.
• Open a project. To open a project, click the arrow next to the current project name in the Project Manager toolbar.
• Run a script. To run a script from the Project Manager, right-click the script and select Execute.
• From Automation, select files. Several Automation activities allow you to easily select files from an open project, so you can use the Project Manager to store files to be used in Automation scripts.
• Send to Shared Toad. To share a project file/item with other users, right-click the file and select Send To | Shared Toad. You can specify a location for this shared folder in Tools | Options | Environment | Network Share. See Network Share Options.