Published on

April 23, 2009

Adding and Removing Identity Property in SQL Server

Have you ever wondered how to add or remove the Identity property from an existing column in a SQL Server table? In this article, we will explore the process of adding and removing the Identity property using SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).

Adding Identity Property

Adding the Identity property to an existing column in a table is a common requirement in database management. Although there is no straightforward T-SQL command to accomplish this, SSMS provides an easy way to make this change.

Let’s take a look at an example. Suppose we have a table called “example1” with a column named “eid”. Initially, this column does not have the Identity property. To add the Identity property, follow these steps:

  1. Open SSMS and navigate to the table “example1”.
  2. Right-click on the column “eid” and select “Modify”.
  3. In the “Column Properties” window, change the “Identity Specification” property to “Yes”.
  4. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Behind the scenes, SSMS generates the necessary T-SQL script to make this change. The script creates a temporary table, copies the data from the original table to the temporary table, drops the original table, renames the temporary table to the original table, and commits the transaction.

It’s important to note that if you have a large number of records in your table, this process can be time-consuming. However, SSMS handles the entire process for you, saving you from the hassle of manually copying the data.

Removing Identity Property

Similarly, removing the Identity property from an existing column is also a common task. To remove the Identity property, follow these steps:

  1. Open SSMS and navigate to the table “example1”.
  2. Right-click on the column “eid” and select “Modify”.
  3. In the “Column Properties” window, change the “Identity Specification” property to “No”.
  4. Click “OK” to save the changes.

Again, SSMS generates the necessary T-SQL script to remove the Identity property. The script creates a temporary table, copies the data from the original table to the temporary table, drops the original table, renames the temporary table to the original table, and commits the transaction.

Both adding and removing the Identity property can be accomplished easily using SSMS, without the need for complex T-SQL commands.

In conclusion, understanding how to add and remove the Identity property in SQL Server is essential for managing database tables effectively. SSMS provides a user-friendly interface to perform these tasks, saving you time and effort.

Thank you for reading this article. Stay tuned for more SQL Server tips and tricks!

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