I have code that generates the following SQL statement:

ALTER TABLE SurveyResults598 ALTER COLUMN Q13810 REAL

Q13810 is currently defined as a DATETIME column. I accept that data is likely to be lost or rendered useless but I still need to change the column from a DATETIME type to a REAL type. When I run it, I get this error:

Implicit conversion from data type datetime to real is not allowed. Use the CONVERT function to run this query.

Note that I am able to successfully convert REAL to DATETIME without causing this error. And I can go both directions between VARCHAR and REAL. Only DATETIME to REAL is causing this.

So, how do I specify a conversion such as this error suggests to change a column DATA TYPE from DATETIME to REAL?

Since your data will become useless, isn't easier (and probably cheaper) to just delete that collumn and create a new one????

__________________
HTH

Gonzalo

================================================== =========
Read this if you want to know how to get a correct reply for your question.
(Took that from Doug signature and he Took that from Peter profile)
================================================== =========
My programs achieved a new certification :
WORKS ON MY MACHINE
================================================== =========
I know that CVS was evil, and now i got the proof.
================================================== =========

Thanks, but a simple Alter Column works 99% of the time. Writing work-around code to drop and then rebuild columns for this one circumstance doesn't sound easier to me. Of course, if there's no other option then I'll have to go that route, but if it's possible to add a "Convert" clause or whatever to the existing Alter Column so that SQL server doesn't puke as it does currently, I'd prefer to go that route. I just do not know enough about SQL to know how to correct whatever is causing this error the "SQL way."