Add DEFAULT to existing column

Question

In Microsoft SQL server, how can I add/change the default on an existing table column using T-SQL?

SqlACID · Accepted Answer · 2011-07-14 16:12:33Z

up vote 8 down vote accepted

ALTER TABLE yourTable ADD  CONSTRAINT constraintName  
   DEFAULT ('XYZ') FOR [YourColumn]

To change the default, drop the constraint and re-add it with the new value:

ALTER TABLE yourTable
DROP CONSTRAINT constraintName

ALTER TABLE yourTable ADD  CONSTRAINT constraintName  
   DEFAULT ('ABC') FOR [YourColumn]

edited Jul 14 '11 at 16:12

answered Jul 14 '11 at 0:51

SqlACID
1,62459

Can also do it in the designer. – SqlSandwiches Jul 14 '11 at 1:01

1 Answer