How to Fix SQL/SQL Server the 1024 Column Limit (2024)

Skip to content

How to Fix SQL/SQL Server the 1024 Column LimitGregory Smith2018-12-18T15:19:37+00:00

For normal tables, SQL/Server has a hard limit of 1024 columns. This article explains what to do if your Salesforce table has more than 1024 columns.

Overall Solution

SQL/Server will support up to 30,000 columns per table but to achieve this columns above the 1024 limit must be created as SPARSE columns. A sparse column is a column whose value is stored in a special column that contains an XML document. Naturally, sparse columns are more expensive to search and update than regular columns but they do provide a way to get past the 1024 limit.

The produced to fix a problem table is:

  1. Turn a table into a wide table by adding a new column to hold sparse column values.
  2. Identify which columns to change to sparse columns.
  3. ALTER the definition of the identified columns to be sparse.

Example

The following example code creates a regular table and then turns it into a wide table and changes most of its columns to be sparse.

CREATE TABLE SparseExample (

id BIGINT IDENTITY

,name VARCHAR(50)

,address VARCHAR(255)

,other VARCHAR(MAX)

);

ALTER TABLE SparseExample ADD sparseColumns XML COLUMN_SET FOR ALL_SPARSE_COLUMNS;

ALTER TABLE SparseExample ALTER COLUMN name VARCHAR(50) SPARSE;

ALTER TABLE SparseExample ALTER COLUMN address VARCHAR(255) SPARSE;

ALTER TABLE SparseExample ALTER COLUMN other VARCHAR(MAX) SPARSE;

INSERT INTO SparseExample(name,address,other) VALUES(‘Capstorm’, ‘Florida’, ‘Now is the time for all good men…’);

SELECT name, address,other, sparseColumns FROM SparseExample

For Additional Help

Google SQL Server Wide Table and you will find many helpful articles.

Page load link
Go to Top

I'm an expert in database management systems, particularly SQL/Server, with a profound understanding of various challenges and solutions related to data storage and retrieval. My expertise spans diverse aspects, ranging from database setup and optimization to addressing specific issues like the 1024 column limit in SQL/Server. Let me provide a breakdown of the concepts covered in the article "How to Fix SQL/SQL Server the 1024 Column Limit."

1. Overall Solution:

  • SQL/Server has a default hard limit of 1024 columns per table.
  • The article suggests a solution to overcome this limit by utilizing SPARSE columns.
  • SQL/Server supports up to 30,000 columns per table by using SPARSE columns.
  • SPARSE columns store values in a special column containing an XML document.

2. Steps to Implement the Solution:

  • Turn a table into a wide table by adding a new column to hold sparse column values.
  • Identify which columns need to be changed to sparse columns.
  • ALTER the definition of the identified columns to be sparse.

3. Example Code:

  • The article provides an illustrative example demonstrating how to create a regular table and then convert it into a wide table with sparse columns.
  • The example includes creating a table, adding a new column for sparse columns, and altering specific columns to be sparse.

4. Additional Information:

  • The article recommends Googling "SQL Server Wide Table" for more detailed articles and assistance.
  • It emphasizes that while sparse columns provide a way to exceed the 1024 limit, they may be more expensive in terms of search and update operations.

In summary, the article guides users on overcoming the 1024 column limit in SQL/Server by leveraging SPARSE columns, providing a practical example and encouraging further exploration for in-depth knowledge. If you have any specific questions or if there's another aspect of database management you'd like to explore, feel free to ask.

How to Fix SQL/SQL Server the 1024 Column Limit (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5983

Rating: 4.3 / 5 (74 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Cheryll Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-12-23

Address: 4653 O'Kon Hill, Lake Juanstad, AR 65469

Phone: +494124489301

Job: Marketing Representative

Hobby: Reading, Ice skating, Foraging, BASE jumping, Hiking, Skateboarding, Kayaking

Introduction: My name is Cheryll Lueilwitz, I am a sparkling, clean, super, lucky, joyous, outstanding, lucky person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.