Specifying a Fill Factor for an Index

You can identify a fill factor to specify how full each index page can be. The amount of empty space on an index page is important because when an index page fills up, the system must take time to split it to make room for new rows.

It is seldom necessary to specify a fill factor when you create an index. The option is provided for fine-tuning performance. It is useful when you are creating a new index on a table with existing data, and particularly when you can accurately predict future changes in that data.

To specify a fill factor for an index on a table

1. In your database diagram, right-click the table containing the index for which you want to specify a fill factor, and choose Properties from the shortcut menu.

   -or-

   Open the Table Designer for the table containing the index for which you want to specify a fill factor, right-click in the Table Designer, and choose Properties from the shortcut menu.

2. Choose the Indexes/Keys tab.
   
   
3. Select the index from the Selected index list.
   
   
4. In the Fill factor box, type a percentage from 0 to 100.

To specify a fill factor for an index on a view

1. Open the View Designer for the view containing the index for which you want to specify a fill factor, right-click in the View Designer, and choose Manage Indexes from the shortcut menu.
   
   
2. Select the index from the Selected index list.
   
   
3. In the Fill factor box, type a percentage from 0 to 100.

For more information about fill factors and their uses, see  SQL Server Books Online.

See Also

Indexes