Alter Table / Changing field types in SQL

[Fordian-Slip]

Hi Folks -

I was wondering if anybody knows of some way to convert a field within a MS
SQL table from varchar to Numeric.

A table was set up with a field initially set to varchar(20). And I need to
update the field type to Numeric.

I use the following statement:

alter table q_quotes_tbl
alter column bound_premium numeric(20,2)

And I get the following error message:
Server: Msg 8114, Level 16, State 5, Line 1
Error converting data type varchar to numeric.
The statement has been terminated.

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Doug

[Dan Bracuk]

If your db allows it,

add a new column
populate from the old column
drop the old column
rename the new one

[Fordian-Slip]

Hi Dan -

That's what I was thinking about doing if I couldn't get my Alter Table command to work properly.

Thanks,

Doug