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Within the SSMS Code Editor (for SQL Server 2012) I have this code written within the editor, that has a Dark theme applied. When you click on a variable, SSMS highlights all the other occurrences of that variable in scope. Notice that the variable highlighting colour is quite dark against the background.

SSMS Dark Theme

Within the Tools > Options > Fonts and Colors menu, can anyone tell me which is the correct Display items choice to edit this colour? I've been through all of the ones that I can see that roughly match the same colour, but none actually effect the code.

EvilDr
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1 Answers1

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Variable colors share settings with table, object and other names. So you can change the text color using Identifier:

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Just note that it will also affect table names, column names etc.

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For the highlighted color of identifiers and variables, use Selected Text. The highlights will use a slightly muted version of that color.

And no, these are not my current settings, and I only kept them that way long enough to grab a screen shot...

Aaron Bertrand
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  • Hi Aaron. I was more referring to the highlighting that occurs when you click on a variable, and SSMS highlights all other occurrences of that variable in scope. You're setting does work, but then SSMS loses the ability to highlight scope variables. Is that expected behaviour? BTW I read your blog yesterday on OUTPUT VS SELECT VS RETURN - excellent article! – EvilDr Aug 14 '14 at 07:51
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    @EvilDr Ok, so is the highlighted background color not just based on the Selected Text option? In 2014 I no longer get highlighting based on the variable selected. If you are using snippets then I would suggest trying Code Snippet Field. Others possibly worth trying: Highlighted Reference, Template Parameter, Text. – Aaron Bertrand Aug 14 '14 at 14:29
  • You nailed it! Yes, its based on Selected Text, but shows a lighter shade of that respective colour. Frustrating that it can't be referenced directly! Anyhow, I set the option to Automatic and it produces a fairly subtle (but easy-to-see) blue. I consider that a success! Thanks very much and keep up the excellent work! – EvilDr Aug 14 '14 at 15:29
  • @AaronBertrand, It's lame that text highlighting isn't available SSMS 2014. Do you know if there's a way to enable this? – RayLoveless Aug 15 '16 at 16:21