[sql] Add Foreign Key relationship between two Databases

I have two tables in two different databases. In table1 (in database1) there is a column called column1 and it is a primary key. Now in table2 (in database2) there is a column called column2 and I want to add it as a foreign key.

I tried to add it and it gave me the following error:

Msg 1763, Level 16, State 0, Line 1
Cross-database foreign key references are not supported. Foreign key Database2.table2.

Msg 1750, Level 16, State 0, Line 1
Could not create constraint. See previous errors.

How do I do that since the tables are in different databases.

The short answer is that SQL Server (as of SQL 2008) does not support cross database foreign keys--as the error message states.

While you cannot have declarative referential integrity (the FK), you can reach the same goal using triggers. It's a bit less reliable, because the logic you write may have bugs, but it will get you there just the same.

See the SQL docs @ http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa258254%28v=sql.80%29.aspx Which state:

Triggers are often used for enforcing business rules and data integrity. SQL Server provides declarative referential integrity (DRI) through the table creation statements (ALTER TABLE and CREATE TABLE); however, DRI does not provide cross-database referential integrity. To enforce referential integrity (rules about the relationships between the primary and foreign keys of tables), use primary and foreign key constraints (the PRIMARY KEY and FOREIGN KEY keywords of ALTER TABLE and CREATE TABLE). If constraints exist on the trigger table, they are checked after the INSTEAD OF trigger execution and prior to the AFTER trigger execution. If the constraints are violated, the INSTEAD OF trigger actions are rolled back and the AFTER trigger is not executed (fired).

There is also an OK discussion over at SQLTeam - http://www.sqlteam.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=31135

You could use check constraint with a user defined function to make the check. It is more reliable than a trigger. It can be disabled and reenabled when necessary same as foreign keys and rechecked after a database2 restore.

CREATE FUNCTION dbo.fn_db2_schema2_tb_A
(@column1 INT) 
RETURNS BIT
AS
BEGIN
    DECLARE @exists bit = 0
    IF EXISTS (
      SELECT TOP 1 1 FROM DB2.SCHEMA2.tb_A 
      WHERE COLUMN_KEY_1 =  @COLUMN1
    ) BEGIN 
         SET @exists = 1 
      END;
      RETURN @exists
END
GO

ALTER TABLE db1.schema1.tb_S
  ADD CONSTRAINT CHK_S_key_col1_in_db2_schema2_tb_A
    CHECK(dbo.fn_db2_schema2_tb_A(key_col1) = 1)

If you need rock solid integrity, have both tables in one database, and use an FK constraint. If your parent table is in another database, nothing prevents anyone from restoring that parent database from an old backup, and then you have orphans.

This is why FK between databases is not supported.

In my experience, the best way to handle this when the primary authoritative source of information for two tables which are related has to be in two separate databases is to sync a copy of the table from the primary location to the secondary location (using T-SQL or SSIS with appropriate error checking - you cannot truncate and repopulate a table while it has a foreign key reference, so there are a few ways to skin the cat on the table updating).

Then add a traditional FK relationship in the second location to the table which is effectively a read-only copy.

You can use a trigger or scheduled job in the primary location to keep the copy updated.

As the error message says, this is not supported on sql server. The only way to ensure refrerential integrity is to work with triggers.