How to Describe a Table in SQL Server

Last updated July 25, 2026 · By the SaturnSQL team

SQL Server has no DESCRIBE. Use EXEC sp_help 'table' for the full picture (columns, indexes, constraints), sp_columns for an ODBC-style column list, or INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS for a plain query you can filter.

EXEC sp_help 'orders';

SELECT COLUMN_NAME, DATA_TYPE, CHARACTER_MAXIMUM_LENGTH, IS_NULLABLE
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE TABLE_NAME = 'orders'
ORDER BY ORDINAL_POSITION;

EXEC sp_columns 'orders';