Allowing non-sysadmin users to see SQL Server execution plans

Question

Is this possible ? On SQL Server 2012+, grant access to a non sysadmin user to see the execution plans ? And can this be done for selected databases only ?

Answer 1

_{Community Wiki answer generated from question comments}

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Yes this is possible. See:

• Syntax for Granting, Denying, and Revoking the SHOWPLAN Permission^{1 2}
• Showplan Security²
• SHOWPLAN Permission and Transact-SQL Batches²

¹ Contributed by Mark Sinkinson
² Contributed by Aaron Bertrand♦