SQL Management Studio – How to change varchar(n) to varchar(MAX)

The following SQL command can be used in SQL Management Studio to change a column from varchar(x) to varchar(MAX).

ALTER TABLE [table] ALTER COLUMN [column] VARCHAR(MAX) NULL

Note that the NULL indicates that NULL values are allowed – this is optional, however NULL is the default if it is not specified.

If the column needs to NOT allow NULL values change the NULL to NOT NULL