CODEWITHSUNDEEP
.netsql-server-2008
BladeHal
BladeHal

Reputation: 783

Change the data type of a table column in SQL Server 2008

I need to change the data type of a column from nvarchar(50) to nvarchar(MAX). The problem is I already have data in hundreds of rows in this table and I don't want to lose the data.

Is there anyway to change the data type of a column without losing the data in that column?

Upvotes: 1

Views: 1744

Answers (1)

marc_s
marc_s

Reputation: 755321

Sure - just change it!

ALTER TABLE dbo.YourTable
  ALTER COLUMN YourColumnName NVARCHAR(MAX)

This will take some time on a large table with data - but it's definitely not going to destroy any data! After all, you're only extending the size of the column.

OF COURSE: always do this first on a test/dev database, and NEVER do this without having a proper backup in place first!

Upvotes: 3

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