Get-DbaDbObjectTrigger

Synopsis

Retrieves triggers attached to tables and views across SQL Server databases.

Description

Retrieves all DML triggers that are attached to tables and views within specified databases. This function helps DBAs inventory trigger-based business logic, identify potential performance bottlenecks, and document database dependencies. You can filter results by database, object type (tables vs views), or pipe in specific objects from Get-DbaDbTable and Get-DbaDbView. Returns trigger details including enabled status and last modified date for impact analysis and change management.

Syntax

Get-DbaDbObjectTrigger
    [[-SqlInstance] <DbaInstanceParameter[]>]
    [[-SqlCredential] <PSCredential>]
    [[-Database] <Object[]>]
    [[-ExcludeDatabase] <Object[]>]
    [[-Type] <String>]
    [[-InputObject] <Object[]>]
    [-EnableException]
    [<CommonParameters>]

Examples

Example: 1

PS C:\> Get-DbaDbObjectTrigger -SqlInstance sql2017

Returns all database triggers

Example: 2

PS C:\> Get-DbaDatabase -SqlInstance sql2017 -Database supa | Get-DbaDbObjectTrigger

Returns all triggers for database supa on sql2017

Example: 3

PS C:\> Get-DbaDbObjectTrigger -SqlInstance sql2017 -Database supa

Returns all triggers for database supa on sql2017

Optional Parameters

-SqlInstance

The target SQL Server instance or instances.

-SqlCredential

SqlLogin to the target instance using alternative credentials. Accepts PowerShell credentials (Get-Credential).
Windows Authentication, SQL Server Authentication, Active Directory - Password, and Active Directory - Integrated are all supported.
For MFA support, please use Connect-DbaInstance..

-Database

Specifies which databases to search for table and view triggers. Accepts wildcards for pattern matching.
Use this when you need to audit triggers in specific databases rather than scanning the entire instance.

-ExcludeDatabase

Specifies databases to exclude from trigger enumeration. Accepts wildcards for pattern matching.
Useful when you want to skip system databases or databases known to have no custom triggers.

-Type

Filters triggers by the type of object they are attached to: Table, View, or All (default).
Use ‘Table’ or ‘View’ when you need to focus on triggers for specific object types during auditing or troubleshooting.

-InputObject

Accepts specific table or view objects from Get-DbaDbTable and Get-DbaDbView via pipeline input.
Use this when you want to check triggers on particular tables or views rather than scanning entire databases.

-EnableException

By default, when something goes wrong we try to catch it, interpret it and give you a friendly warning message.
This avoids overwhelming you with “sea of red” exceptions, but is inconvenient because it basically disables advanced scripting.
Using this switch turns this “nice by default” feature off and enables you to catch exceptions with your own try/catch.

Outputs

Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.Trigger

Returns one Trigger object for each DML trigger found on the specified tables and views.

Default display properties (via Select-DefaultView):

• ComputerName: The computer name of the SQL Server instance
• InstanceName: The SQL Server instance name
• SqlInstance: The full SQL Server instance name (computer\instance)
• Name: The name of the trigger
• Parent: Reference to the parent table or view object that the trigger is attached to
• IsEnabled: Boolean indicating if the trigger is currently enabled
• DateLastModified: DateTime when the trigger was last modified

Additional properties available (from SMO Trigger object):

• ID: The unique identifier for the trigger
• AnsiNullsStatus: Boolean indicating if ANSI_NULLS was set when trigger was created
• AssemblyName: Name of the .NET assembly for CLR triggers
• BodyStartIndex: Index position where trigger body starts in the text
• ClassName: The CLR class name for CLR-based triggers
• CreateDate: DateTime when the trigger was created
• DdlTriggerEvents: List of DDL events that trigger this trigger (if database-level)
• ExecutionContext: Execution context setting for the trigger
• ExecutionContextLogin: Login used for execution context
• ImplementationType: Type of trigger implementation (T-SQL or CLR)
• IsDesignMode: Boolean indicating design mode status
• IsEncrypted: Boolean indicating if trigger definition is encrypted
• IsSystemObject: Boolean indicating if this is a system object
• MethodName: Method name for CLR-based triggers
• QuotedIdentifierStatus: Boolean indicating QUOTED_IDENTIFIER setting
• State: Current state of the trigger object
• TextHeader: Header text of the trigger definition
• TextMode: Text mode setting of the trigger All properties from the SMO Trigger object are accessible via Select-Object *.