Azure Data Studio

Azure Data Studio is Microsoft’s cross-platform database IDE supporting SQL Server, Azure SQL, and PostgreSQL. CRITICAL: Microsoft announced retirement on February 28, 2026, users should migrate to VS Code with the MSSQL extension. Current features include notebooks (SQL, Python, PowerShell), extensibility through marketplace, source control integration, and customizable dashboards. The IDE runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing SQL Server access outside Windows environments. Extension ecosystem includes tools for database projects, schema compare, and Azure integration. For new projects, Microsoft recommends VS Code with MSSQL extension, which receives continued development and Copilot integration (GitHub Copilot with schema-aware features available in MSSQL Extension v1.37+). Page should cover: retirement timeline and migration guidance, VS Code MSSQL extension comparison, current features overview (for existing users), notebook capabilities, extension recommendations, and migration checklist for teams currently using ADS.