SQL 2008 Design mode table does not allow change from Not null to NUll

Question

Hi,

In sql 2008 I try to edit an empty (also happens on non-empty) table a column that is 'Not Null' to 'Null'. And I get an error saying that it must drop and recreate the table.
However I am able to do this via t-sql using the script below:

alter

 

table dbo.Table_2 alter column Col2 nchar(10) not Null

Why is this happening, is there an explanation for this or is this a bug?

Thanks

Answer 1

Go to tools/options/designers/table and database designers.  Uncheck "Prevent saving changes that require table re-creation."

Answer 2

... however, there's a reason this is off by default!

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Tibor Karaszi, SQL Server MVP http://www.karaszi.com/sqlserver/default.asp http://sqlblog.com/blogs/tibor_karaszi