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Applies to: 
SQL Server
Lists databases that either reside in an instance of the SQL Server or are accessible through a database gateway.
Transact-SQL syntax conventions
Syntax
sp_databases
[ ; ]
Return code values
None.
Result set
| Column name | Data type | Description |
|---|---|---|
DATABASE_NAME |
sysname | Name of the database. In the Database Engine, this column represents the database name as stored in the sys.databases catalog view. |
DATABASE_SIZE |
int | Size of database, in kilobytes. |
REMARKS |
varchar(254) | For the Database Engine, this field always returns NULL. |
Remarks
Database names that are returned can be used as parameters in the USE statement to change the current database context.
DATABASE_SIZE returns a NULL value for databases larger than 2.15 TB.
sp_databases has no equivalent in Open Database Connectivity (ODBC).
Permissions
Requires CREATE DATABASE, or ALTER ANY DATABASE, or VIEW ANY DEFINITION permission, and must have access permission to the database. Can't be denied VIEW ANY DEFINITION permission.
Examples
The following example shows executing sp_databases.
USE master;
GO
EXECUTE sp_databases;