---
title: "Get-DbaDbTrigger"
description: "Retrieves database-level DDL triggers from SQL Server instances for security auditing and change tracking analysis."
url: "https://dbatools.io/Get-DbaDbTrigger/"
availability: "Windows, Linux, macOS"
tags: ["Database", "Trigger"]
author: "Chrissy LeMaire (@cl), netnerds.net"
source: "https://github.com/dataplat/dbatools/blob/master/public/Get-DbaDbTrigger.ps1"
last_updated: "2024-01-01"
---

# Get-DbaDbTrigger

## Synopsis

Retrieves database-level DDL triggers from SQL Server instances for security auditing and change tracking analysis.

## Description

Retrieves all database-level DDL triggers from one or more SQL Server instances. Database triggers fire in response to DDL events like CREATE, ALTER, or DROP statements within a specific database, making them useful for change auditing and security monitoring. This function helps DBAs inventory these triggers for compliance reporting, troubleshooting performance issues, or documenting automated database change tracking mechanisms. Returns trigger details including name, enabled status, and last modification date.

## Syntax

```powershell
Get-DbaDbTrigger
    [[-SqlInstance] <DbaInstanceParameter[]>]
    [[-SqlCredential] <PSCredential>]
    [[-Database] <Object[]>]
    [[-ExcludeDatabase] <Object[]>]
    [[-InputObject] <Database[]>]
    [-EnableException]
    [<CommonParameters>]

```

## Examples

### Example 1: Returns all database triggers

```powershell
PS C:\> Get-DbaDbTrigger -SqlInstance sql2017
```

### Example 2: Returns all triggers for database supa on sql2017

```powershell
PS C:\> Get-DbaDatabase -SqlInstance sql2017 -Database supa | Get-DbaDbTrigger
```

### Example 3: Returns all triggers for database supa on sql2017

```powershell
PS C:\> Get-DbaDbTrigger -SqlInstance sql2017 -Database supa
```

### Optional Parameters

##### -SqlInstance

The target SQL Server instance or instances.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | False |
| Pipeline | false |
| Default Value |  |

##### -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..

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | False |
| Pipeline | false |
| Default Value |  |

##### -Database

Specifies which databases to scan for DDL triggers. Accepts wildcards for pattern matching.  
Use this when you need to audit triggers in specific databases rather than checking all databases on the instance.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | False |
| Pipeline | false |
| Default Value |  |

##### -ExcludeDatabase

Excludes specific databases from the trigger scan. Useful for skipping system databases or databases under maintenance.  
Commonly used to exclude tempdb, model, or databases that don't require trigger auditing.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | False |
| Pipeline | false |
| Default Value |  |

##### -InputObject

Accepts database objects from Get-DbaDatabase via pipeline input for targeted trigger analysis.  
Use this when you want to process a pre-filtered set of database objects instead of specifying database names.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | False |
| Pipeline | true (ByValue) |
| Default Value |  |

##### -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.

| Property | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Alias |  |
| Required | False |
| Pipeline | false |
| Default Value | False |

## Outputs

**Microsoft.SqlServer.Management.Smo.DatabaseDdlTrigger**

Returns one DatabaseDdlTrigger object per database trigger found on the specified databases. The function enhances the SMO object with additional dbatools properties via Add-Member.

**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 database-level DDL trigger
- IsEnabled: Boolean indicating whether the trigger is enabled
- DateLastModified: DateTime when the trigger was last modified

**Additional properties available (from SMO DatabaseDdlTrigger object):**

- CreateDate: DateTime when the trigger was created
- EventSet: The set of DDL events that fire the trigger (CREATE_TABLE, ALTER_TABLE, DROP_TABLE, etc.)
- ExecutionContext: The execution context of the trigger (Caller, Owner, or specific user)
- TextHeader: The header portion of the trigger definition
- TextBody: The body portion of the trigger SQL code
- Text: The complete T-SQL definition of the trigger
- Urn: The uniform resource name (URN) uniquely identifying the trigger
- State: The state of the SMO object (Existing, Creating, Dropping, etc.)
All properties from the base SMO DatabaseDdlTrigger object are accessible via Select-Object *.

---

Part of [dbatools](https://dbatools.io/), a free and open source PowerShell module for SQL Server administration. Full command index: https://dbatools.io/commands/