SQL Server - Create a Table
Note that this tutorial was written for those using the 2000 edition of SQL Server (SQL Server 2000). For later versions of SQL Server, check out the SQL Server 2008 tutorial.
This lesson demonstrates how to create a table in a SQL Server database using Enterprise Manager.
- Ensuring you have the right database expanded, right click on the "Tables" icon and select "New Table...":
- While you have this screen open, do the following:
- Using the values in the screenshot, complete the details in the "Column Name" column, the "Data Type" column, "Length" column, and "Allow Nulls" column.
- Make the IndividualId column an "identity column", by setting "Identity" to "Yes" (just use the same values as in the screenshot). Note that to set values in the bottom pane, you need to select the column name in the top pane first). This column is going to be an auto-number column - it will contain an incrementing number for each record that is created.
- Set the "Default Value" of the DateCreated column to (getdate()). (This will automatically insert the current date into that field for each new record).
What we are doing at this stage, is creating the column names, specifying the type of data that can be entered into them, and setting default values. Restricting the data type for each column is very important and helps maintain data integrity. For example, it can prevent us from accidentally entering an email address into a field for storing the current date.
- Close the table by clicking the close icon
, and when prompted, name your table:
Your New Table
Now that you've created a new table, it will appear under your database in the "Tables" section.
