Generally Available: Azure SQL updates for late-September 2026

The following updates and enhancements were made to Azure SQL:   

• Scale larger workloads on Azure SQL Database Hyperscale Premium series with new 160-vCore and 192-vCore options, delivering up to 50% greater compute capacity than the previous 128-vCore maximum.  
• Enable automatic index compaction to reduce storage space consumption and save resources without index maintenance jobs.  
• Query and explore Azure SQL Database directly from the Azure portal with the modern, browser-based SQL Query Editor, without requiring external tools.  
• Make informed Azure SQL migration decisions directly within SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) with intelligent target recommendations tailored to your workload.  
• Get enhanced state management for improved performance and responsiveness with the new Results Grid experience, now with expanded column customization options.  
• Run the built-in SQL formatter on demand in SSMS, configuring for automatic formatting on save, and customizing through SSMS settings or .editorconfig files.  
• Compare two database definitions with Schema Compare. The source and target of the comparison can be any combination of connected database, SQL database project, or .dacpac file.  
• Now write one set of connection string keywords and use them across our Microsoft SQL drivers. No more looking up connection string keywords for every different language or framework that you work with.  

Learn more: 

• New 160-vCore and 192-vCore options 
• Enable automatic index compaction  
• Query and explore Azure SQL Database directly from the Azure portal with SQL Query Editor 
•  SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) with intelligent target recommendations  
• Expanded column customization options with Results Grid 
• Run the built-in SQL formatter on demand in SSMS 
• Compare two database definitions with Schema Compare