How to Grant Permissions in SQL Server

How do I use GRANT to give permissions in SQL Server?

GRANT assigns specific database or object privileges to users or roles in SQL Server.

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Description

What does the GRANT command do in SQL Server?

GRANT explicitly gives a principal (user, role, or application login) the right to perform specific actions—such as SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, or EXECUTE—on a database, schema, or object. Without GRANT, the principal cannot use the secured resource.

How is the GRANT syntax structured?

GRANT follows the pattern: GRANT permission_list ON securable TO principal [WITH GRANT OPTION]. You can grant on objects (tables, views, procedures), schemas, or the entire database. Optional WITH GRANT OPTION lets the recipient pass the permission to others.

Which permissions are common in an ecommerce database?

Typical ecommerce privileges include SELECT on Products for catalogue widgets, INSERT on Orders for web-checkout processes, and EXECUTE on stored procedures that calculate discounts or replenish stock.

How do I grant SELECT on one table?

To let the reporting role read only the Products table:

GRANT SELECT ON dbo.Products TO reporting_role;This grants read-only access without exposing other tables.

How can I grant multiple permissions at once?

Comma-separate the permissions:

GRANT SELECT, UPDATE ON dbo.Products TO inventory_app;The inventory_app login can query and update product rows but cannot delete them.

Can I allow a user to grant permissions further?

Add WITH GRANT OPTION:

GRANT SELECT ON dbo.Customers TO senior_analyst WITH GRANT OPTION;The senior_analyst can now share that SELECT right with junior analysts.

What are best practices for using GRANT?

Grant the smallest privilege set required (principle of least privilege). Prefer roles over individual users. Revoke permissions when a feature or team no longer needs them. Document every GRANT in version control.

What are common GRANT mistakes?

A frequent error is granting on the wrong schema (e.g., forgetting dbo.). Another is forgetting to add column-level security when sensitive data appears in wide tables.

FAQ

Can I grant permissions on all tables in a schema?

Yes. Use GRANT SELECT ON SCHEMA::sales TO analyst_role; This covers all current and future tables in the sales schema.

How do I remove a permission?

Use REVOKE to remove granted rights or DENY to explicitly block them.

Does GRANT override DENY?

No. DENY always overrides GRANT. If a principal is denied a permission, no GRANT can bypass it without first removing the DENY.

Why How to Grant Permissions in SQL Server is important

How to Grant Permissions in SQL Server Example Usage


-- Allow the mobile app to insert new orders and read its own rows
GRANT INSERT, SELECT ON dbo.Orders TO mobile_app;
-- Let support reps view customer and order details
GRANT SELECT ON dbo.Customers TO support_role;
GRANT SELECT ON dbo.Orders TO support_role;
-- Permit warehouse system to update stock and view products
GRANT SELECT, UPDATE ON dbo.Products TO warehouse_system;

How to Grant Permissions in SQL Server Syntax


GRANT { permission [ ,...n ] | ALL [ PRIVILEGES ] }
    ON { 
        [ OBJECT :: ] securable_name | 
        SCHEMA :: schema_name | 
        DATABASE :: database_name 
    }
    TO principal_name [ ,...n ]
    [ WITH GRANT OPTION ];
-- Example objects in ecommerce context
--  Grant SELECT on Products table
GRANT SELECT ON OBJECT::dbo.Products TO web_frontend;
--  Grant EXECUTE on a procedure that creates Orders
GRANT EXECUTE ON OBJECT::dbo.sp_CreateOrder TO checkout_service;

Common Mistakes

Granting permissions to individual users instead of roles. This creates permission sprawl. Fix: Create a role, grant rights to the role, and add users to that role.
Using WITH GRANT OPTION carelessly. It lets the grantee pass permissions further, potentially widening access. Fix: Reserve WITH GRANT OPTION for senior roles only and audit regularly.