-> Lets create required objects for this test,

create table Table1(
Col1 int primary key identity(1,1),
Col2 varchar(255),
Col3 datetime,
Col4 char(10))

create table Table2(
Col1 int primary key identity(1,1),
Col2 varchar(255),
Col3 datetime,
Col4 char(10))

create index ix_test on Table1(Col2) INCLUDE(Col4)
create index ix_test on Table2(Col2) INCLUDE(Col4)

set nocount on


insert into Table1 values ('test',getdate(),'test1')
go 100000

insert into Table2 values ('test',getdate(),'test1')
go 100000

-> Once above objects are created. Lets execute below query,

select Col1,Col2,Col3,Col4 from Table1 where Col2='Test' 

-> We are getting a Clustered Index Scan. Lets check Table1 properties and see what indexes we have,

-> We have a clustered index on Col1 that is created as part of the clustered index and then a non-clustered index on column Col2.

-> Below query we executed has a predicate on Col2, so not sure why the optimizer selected a clustered index scan instead of an Index seek using Index ix_test. Let us try forcing this index now,

select Col1,Col2,Col3,Col4 from Table1 with (index(ix_test)) where Col2='Test' 

-> We see an Index seek using Index ix_test and then a key lookup after we forced the Index Ix_test. It seems like optimizer went for a clustered index scan instead of an Index seek + Key lookup as the plan with Clustered Index scan is comparatively cheap than an Index seek + Key lookup.

-> Lets verify this by running the query with and without the hint. As expected, query without hint has overall cost of just 3% and the query with the index hint is close to 97%.

-> It is always good to go with the plans created by optimizer rather than adding hints. Adding hints can help when there is an optimizer timeout. Since this article is about forcing an index, lets look at another method using which we can force an index without worrying much on the performance.

-> Execute below query and get the index id of Ix_Test on Table1.

select object_name(object_id) TableName,name,index_id,type,type_desc from sys.indexes where object_id=OBJECT_ID('Table1')

-> In my case Index id 3 is Ix_test. We can use below query to force the index Ix_Test,

select Col1,Col2,Col3,Col4 from Table1 with (index(3)) where Col2='Test' 

-> Lets see how can we force an index when join between tables are performed. Lets execute below query,

select a.Col1,a.Col2,a.Col3,b.col4 
from Table1 a 
INNER JOIN Table1 b on a.col1=b.col1  
where a.Col2='Test' 

-> We see an cluster Index scan for both tables. Now lets force index ix_test for both tables using below query,

select a.Col1,a.Col2,a.Col3,b.col4 
from Table1 a with (index(ix_test))
INNER JOIN Table1 b with (index(ix_test)) on a.col1=b.col1  
where a.Col2='Test' 

Thank You,
Vivek Janakiraman

Disclaimer:
The views expressed on this blog are mine alone and do not reflect the views of my company or anyone else. All postings on this blog are provided “AS IS” with no warranties, and confers no rights.