The precision of a numeric column refers to the maximum number of digits used by the selected data type. For most data types, the column precision is automatically defined by the data type. Developers can change the column precision for the decimal and numeric data types if they want to redefine the column length. The Precision property is not provided in the Column Properties tab of a column whose data type is not decimal or numeric. When developers working with SQL Server “Denali”, MS SQL Server 2008 R2 and MS SQL Server 2005 want to modify the precision of a columns data type, they should follow the next steps:
1. In Object Explorer, right-click the table with columns for which they want to modify the length and click Design (Modify in SP1 or earlier).
The table opens in Table Designer.
2. Select the column for which they want to change the precision.
3. In Column Properties tab, click the grid cell for the Precision property and enter a value for the precision.
The new length is assigned to the column in the Table Designer after they click outside the grid cell or use the TAB key to move to another grid cell. It takes effect in the database when they save their changes in Table Designer.