Table entry becomes null when field name is updated using database utility

[Former Member]

Hello,

I created a table in se11. I added entries to the table but after some time i changed a field name. So to activate the table i go to database utility and activate it with option persist data.

But strangely the data in the field becomes null after the change.

The table fields are provided in below screenshot

I make the changes to the field emp_address to EMP_ADDRESS1. The new output from se16 is below.

Can anyone tell why this is happening?

[Former Member]

Strange ? No I don't think so. You removed EMP_ADDRESS and added EMP_ADDRESS1. The DB Utility recognises fields by name when saving data, not by position so since EMP_ADDRESS1 is not the same as EMP_ADDRESS your data was not preserved.

Rich

[Sandra_Rossi]

• @joby chacko i.e. your data is now lost forever.
• So to rename a column emp_address to emp_address1, you should:
• 1) add a new column emp_address1 and keep the old one (emp_address)
• 2) activate the table
• 3) Via any SQL editor, do : "update ZYOURTABLE set emp_address1 = emp_address"
• 4) delete the column emp_address
• 5) activate the table via the database utility.

[Former Member]

thanks Richard.

So it is an expected behaviour.

Is there a way to keep the data as it is and change the column name?

[chaouki_akir]

Richard gives you the correct answer ==> you should have choose his answer as the best answer

[Sandra_Rossi]

I second Chaouki Akir !

[Former Member]

sandra.rossi Thank you. I understood it now.