How to copy data from one column to another in the same table using the where clause and on SQL server management studio

Tsepo Kholoane 0

I want to copy data from one column to another column with blank records. I also want to make use of the WHERE clause. I am using SQL Server Management Studio.

1 answer

LiHongMSFT-4306 27,026 Reputation points

2024-04-05T09:33:46.84+00:00
Hi @Tsepo Kholoane

Try this:

ALTER TABLE TableName ADD New_Column VARCHAR(20)--SAME DATATYPE AS Old_Column; UPDATE TableName SET New_Column = Old_Column

Best regards,

Cosmog Hong

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Tsepo Kholoane 0 Reputation points

2024-04-05T11:26:10.3366667+00:00

Hi @LiHongMSFT-4306

Is there a way to do it without having to create a new column? I already have a pre-existing column which I wish to populate with the copied data.

Erland Sommarskog 111.6K Reputation points MVP

2024-04-05T21:07:47.51+00:00

In that case, skip the ALTER TABLE statement, and only run the UPDATE.

As for the WHERE clause, you can of course add one, but since you did give as any condition, we don't know what you should put there.

LiHongMSFT-4306 27,026 Reputation points

2024-04-08T01:44:19.5233333+00:00

Hi @Tsepo Kholoane

I already have a pre-existing column which I wish to populate with the copied data.

Then just ignore the Alter table. How about the Update statement?
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How to copy data from one column to another in the same table using the where clause and on SQL server management studio

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