How to Alter Collation in SQL Server 2008

Collation in SQL Server 2008 refers to the rules that determine how string comparison and sorting are performed. It plays a crucial role in ensuring that data is stored and retrieved accurately, especially when dealing with non-English characters or special characters. In some cases, you may need to alter the collation of a database, table, or column to meet specific requirements. This article will guide you through the process of altering collation in SQL Server 2008.

Understanding Collation in SQL Server 2008

Before diving into the process of altering collation, it is essential to understand the different types of collations available in SQL Server 2008. There are two main categories: case-sensitive and case-insensitive collations. Case-sensitive collations distinguish between uppercase and lowercase letters, while case-insensitive collations treat them as equivalent.

Additionally, collations can be classified as accent-sensitive or accent-insensitive. Accent-sensitive collations consider the diacritics (such as é, ñ, or ü) as separate characters, while accent-insensitive collations treat them as equivalent.

Altering Collation of a Database

To alter the collation of a database in SQL Server 2008, follow these steps:

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and connect to the instance where your database is hosted.
2. In the Object Explorer, expand the Databases node, and right-click on the database you want to alter the collation for.
3. Select “Properties” from the context menu.
4. In the Database Properties dialog box, go to the “Options” page.
5. Look for the “Collation” property and click on the “…” button to open the Collation Selection dialog box.
6. In the Collation Selection dialog box, you can search for a specific collation or browse through the available options.
7. Select the desired collation and click “OK” to close the dialog box.
8. Click “OK” again to close the Database Properties dialog box and apply the changes.

Altering Collation of a Table or Column

To alter the collation of a table or column in SQL Server 2008, follow these steps:

1. Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) and connect to the instance where your database is hosted.
2. In the Object Explorer, expand the Databases node, and expand the database where the table or column is located.
3. Right-click on the table or column you want to alter the collation for and select “Design” from the context menu.
4. In the table design view, click on the “Columns” tab.
5. Select the column you want to alter the collation for and click on the “…” button next to the “Collation” property.
6. In the Collation Selection dialog box, you can search for a specific collation or browse through the available options.
7. Select the desired collation and click “OK” to close the dialog box.
8. Save the changes to the table design by clicking “Save” and then closing the table design view.

Conclusion

Altering collation in SQL Server 2008 is a straightforward process that can be done through SQL Server Management Studio. By understanding the different types of collations and following the steps outlined in this article, you can ensure that your data is stored and retrieved accurately, meeting your specific requirements.