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Include Master Key

Determines if the Master Key statement is included in the SSDT Project.

When enabled and a Default Master Key statement is configured, a DefaultMasterKey.sql script is written under {Database}\Security\Master Keys in the generated project, for each database that contains external table objects. An existing script file is only overwritten when Overwrite External Table Defaults is enabled, so a manually adjusted master key statement is preserved across builds.

When to Change This Setting​

Keep the default N when the database master key is created and managed outside the SSDT project. Enable it for external-table (PolyBase-style) staging solutions where the deployment should create the master key that the database scoped credential depends on.

SettingInteraction
Default Master KeyThe SQL statement written to the included script
Include CredentialThe credential script that builds on the master key
Include External TablesIncludes the external table definitions themselves
Overwrite External Table DefaultsControls whether an existing script is overwritten

Notes​

  • This setting is part of the SSDT settings category.
  • The default value for this setting is N.