How can I copy data from one column to another in the same table?

Question

Is it possible to copy data from column A to column B for all records in a table in SQL?

Answer 1

update table XXX

set column_b = column_a;

As long as you have same definition and constraints in column_b defined as in column_b; say varchar(20) in both, and same check constraint.

You can also put column_a's record in a cursor and update column_b one by one, cost your more processing time, but give you more flexibility to control which record to copy, which to not copy.

Answer 2

UPDATE myTable SET ColumnB = columnA;

Answer 3

Yes, of course. As long as the data types match.

SQL command for this would be:

Update TableName

Set ColumnB = ColumnA;