How to: Set Column Collation (Visual Database Tools)

A column's collation sequence is used in any operation that compares values of the column to another column or to constant values. If all of the users of your instance of Microsoft SQL Server speak the same language, you should pick the collation that supports that language. For example, if all of the users speak French, choose the French collation.

If the users of your instance of Microsoft SQL Server speak multiple languages, you should pick a collation that best supports the requirements of the various languages. For example, if the users generally speak western European languages, choose the Latin1_General collation.

To Set Column Collation

  1. In Object Explorer, right-click the table to which you want to add columns and choose Design. The table opens in Table Designer.

  2. Select the column for which you want to set the collation.

    The properties for that column appear in the Column Properties tab.

  3. Click Collation and then click the ellipses () to the right of the property.

    The Collation dialog box appears.

  4. Choose collation settings for the selected column in the Collation dialog box.