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I want to alter columns in StudentPerformance table

Columns to be altered are -

StudentName varchar(50) to StudentName varchar(100)
Percentage decimal(18,0) to Percentage decimal(18,2)

It is configured for merge replication.

  • Will it make my current snapshot obselete?
  • Will I have to re-initialze all the subscriptions?
  • Will it update all the records in the table and it will increase traffic in replication when I run the alter statement?
marc_s
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Thakur
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1 Answers1

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You will need to do this using ALTER TABLE ALTER COLUMN syntax at the Publisher. By default the schema changes will be propagated on the next synchronization, publication property @replicate_ddl must be set to true. No new snapshot or reinitialization required in most cases.

For example, I can change my SalesLT.Customer Title column from nvarchar(8) null to nvarchar(10) null by executing on the publication database:

ALTER TABLE SalesLT.Customer ALTER COLUMN Title NVARCHAR(10) NULL

In most cases the schema change will replicate out on the next sync, there are some exceptions that are covered in Making Schema Changes on Publication Databases.

Brandon Williams
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  • any idea if it will all the rows will be updated and synchronized (uploaded/downloaded) across all servers in replication? – Thakur Mar 16 '12 at 07:23
  • Yes, as long as the schema change is not made on a column involved in a join or parameterized filter. – Brandon Williams Mar 16 '12 at 07:44
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    i altered the columns and it didnt make my snapshot obselete :) neither did it update all the rows to affect replication speed :) – Thakur Apr 11 '12 at 11:25