How to: Set Column Collation
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.
Note
A new version of Table Designer appears for databases in the SQL Server 2012 format. This topic describes the old version of Table Designer, which you use with databases in earlier formats of SQL Server.
In the new version, you can change a table definition through a graphical interface or directly in a script pane. If you use the graphical interface, the table’s definition is automatically updated in the script pane. To apply the SQL code in the script pane, choose the Update button. For more information about the new version, see How to: Create Database Objects Using Table Designer.
Note
Your computer might show different names or locations for some of the Visual Studio user interface elements in the following instructions. The Visual Studio edition that you have and the settings that you use determine these elements. For more information, see Customizing Development Settings in Visual Studio.
To Set Column Collation
In Server Explorer, right-click the table with columns you want to modify and click Open Table Definition.
The table opens in Table Designer.
Select the column for which you want to set the collation.
The properties for that column appear in the Column Properties tab.
Click Collation and then click the ellipses (…) to the right of the property.
The Collation dialog box appears.
Choose collation settings for the selected column in the Collation dialog box.