Changing the datatype of a column which is part of a PK

microsoft.public.sqlserver.programming

9 Mar 2006 9:15 PM

MittyKom

Hi All

I have a table made up of 2 columns as the PK. I am trying to write a script
that changes the datatype of one of the columns which is part of the primary
key. This is what i have tried but i seem not to be getting anywhere:

ALTER TABLE TB1 DROP CONSTRAINT PK_TB1
ALTER COLUMN ACCOUNT VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL

Is there a way to do this? I tried to drop the PKs and then do the changes
and then recreate the PK again. All this gave me errors. Thank you in
advance.

9 Mar 2006 9:37 PM

Aaron Bertrand [SQL Server MVP]

> Is there a way to do this? I tried to drop the PKs and then do the changes
> and then recreate the PK again. All this gave me errors.

What does "tried" mean? What errors?

This is the way you do it. You drop the constraints (both primary *and*
foreign key), you change the column, you re-apply the constraints.

9 Mar 2006 10:18 PM

MittyKom

Thank you. It worked.

Show quote

"Aaron Bertrand [SQL Server MVP]" wrote:

> > Is there a way to do this? I tried to drop the PKs and then do the changes
> > and then recreate the PK again. All this gave me errors.
>
> What does "tried" mean? What errors?
>
> This is the way you do it. You drop the constraints (both primary *and*
> foreign key), you change the column, you re-apply the constraints.
>
>
>