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Kim Neesgaard

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Identity Specification has Changed by it self?

Hi all!

I have some SQL Server tables on a server and one of the tables uses identity specification as unique ID. When I insert a new record in the table, I use INSERT INTO table (fields) VALUES (some values) and then the system inserts the next ID in the table. It has worked very well for a long time.

'Suddenly' one of the uses get an error that says: column does not allow nulls. INSERT fails. After investigation of the table in question, I discover that identity specification is set to 'no'. I am very sure that I have not changed the value to 'no' and no other has access to the table.

My question is: is it possible that this value can change 'by itself' or could there be circumstaces where the value is changed so ti appear that it has chenged 'by itself'?

After I changed to 'yes', no problems exist.


Best regards
Kim Neesgaard
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Jim Horn
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Kim Neesgaard

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Hi Jim!

Thank you for your answer! Actually I can see (and recall) that there has been some copy activities for exactly this table so your first guess seems likely. I certainly not hope for you last suggestion...!


Best regards
Kim Neesgaard
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Hi Anthony!

I was allowed to change identity specification from no to yes but perhaps a rebuild was made behind the scenes. In the options 'prevent saving changes that require table re-creation' is not ticked.
I was allowed to change identity specification from no to yes but perhaps a rebuild was made behind the scenes.
You are right, behind the scene SSMS is rebuilding the table.  You can see exactly what I mean by "removing" the attribute in the Table Designer but instead of clicking Save, select the icon that reads "Generate Change Script" (it is also under the Table Designer menu.
I have just checked it and it is very visible under Generate Change Script - I didn't know this function. Thank you for elaborate the question!