SQL Server 2005 Express with the Full-Text option greyed out
I’ve just been struggling to enable full-text search on my installation of SQL Server 2005 Express Edition, and so want to share the solution.
If, like me, the ‘Use full-text indexing’ checkbox was greyed out under Database > Properties > Files, you first need to test whether Full-Text Indexing is installed or not. To do this, execute the query.
select fulltextserviceproperty(‘isfulltextinstalled’)
If this returns 0, you need to install Full-Text Search.
Firstly, did you install SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Advanced Series? Only the Advanced Series contains full-text. If not, you may need to reinstall.
However if so, then you just need to change the installation to include Full-Text Indexing. But if you originally installed from a download from the above link (most of you) then you’ll find that when you try to modify the installation via Control Panel > Applications / Programs, Windows prompts you for the installation file ‘sqlrun_sql.msi’. This is because the download unpacked the installation files to a temporary folder which can no longer be found.
To resolve this issue, you need to download the file again from the link above, move it to a folder, and unzip (I used WinRAR). Then point Windows to the sqlrun_sql.msi file (under /setup, wherever you unzipped the download) when it prompts you for the installation file.
For additional info, see here.
For additional support setting up Full-Text Search once installed, watch this video on the topic from Micosoft, BUT I think you’ll find my new tutorial on seting up Full-Text Search in SQL Server 2005 Express much quicker and more intuitive to be honest..
6 Responses to SQL Server 2005 Express with the Full-Text option greyed out
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Thanks, I’ve been looking all over for that. Now installing advanced series…
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Vendor of a database package is suggesting we enable “full-text indexing” for their database but box is greyed out.
(Your suggested test query also produces a ’0′ result)
Vendor suggested downloading “SQLEXPR_ADV.EXE” and re-installing (without uninstalling) and selecting the “full text search” feature. When I do that I am told that “no effective change will be made” and the setup process stops.
Before I proceed with trying to “change” existing installation in Control Panel, is that likely to work given what has happened thus far?
Many thanks. Colin. -
I could not find SQL Server 2005 Express Edition Advanced Series and I don’t know if SQL Server 2008 R2 Express Edition Advanced Series would be compatible with my Visual Studio 2008.
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