In mid-September 2026, the following updates and enhancements were made to Azure SQL:Configure soft delete for the Azure SQL logical server. When the logical server is deleted, it goes into a soft deleted state and is self-restorable during the configured

In mid-August 2026, the following updates and enhancements were made to Azure SQL: You can customize keyboard shortcuts for Quick Queries, the Results Grid, and the Query Editor directly within Visual Studio Code—without leaving your editor. Shortcut Conf

With SQL Formatter, you can format SQL scripts directly in your editor for cleaner, more consistent, and readable code. Now in public preview, it includes more customizable formatting options to match your preferred coding style and streamline development

With Azure SQL Database provisioning, you can create and connect to a fully managed cloud database directly from your editor—at no cost. Now generally available, the feature also includes ready-to-use Azure Resource Manager (ARM), Bicep, and Terraform tem

To enhance backup protection, Azure SQL Database and Azure SQL Managed Instance now automatically apply immutability to the most recent seven days of backups. This capability is enabled by default for all databases, regardless of the configured point-in-t

In late-July 2026, the following update and enhancement was made to Azure SQL: Regex-based dynamic data masking (DDM) extends the built-in DDM feature with pattern‑based masking to hide sensitive data like emails, phone numbers, and identifiers—centrally

In mid-July 2026, the following updates and enhancements were made to Azure SQL: Shortcut Configuration lets you customize keyboard shortcuts for Quick Queries, the Results Grid, and the Query Editor directly within Visual Studio Code—wit

SQL MCP Server is now generally available, giving customers a secure, high-performance way to build agentic solutions with controlled access to production data. Built for SQL and compatible with PostgreSQL and Azure Cosmos DB, SQL MCP Server is a dynamic,

Microsoft Entra server principals (logins) for Azure SQL Database is now generally available. You can now use CREATE LOGIN ... FROM EXTERNAL PROVIDER in the virtual master database, bringing parity with SQL logins for your Microsoft Entra identities.With