---
title: "Rename Columns (Database Engine) | Microsoft Docs"
ms.custom: ""
ms.date: "08/03/2017"
ms.prod: sql
ms.prod_service: "database-engine, sql-database"
ms.reviewer: ""
ms.technology: table-view-index
ms.topic: conceptual
helpviewer_keywords: 
  - "columns [SQL Server], names"
  - "renaming columns"
  - "column names [SQL Server]"
ms.assetid: 7c71ec9f-0180-4398-b32a-4bfb7592e75d
author: stevestein
ms.author: sstein
monikerRange: "=azuresqldb-current||>=sql-server-2016||=sqlallproducts-allversions||>=sql-server-linux-2017||=azuresqldb-mi-current"
---
# Rename Columns (Database Engine)

[!INCLUDE[tsql-appliesto-ss2016-asdb-xxxx-xxx-md](../../includes/tsql-appliesto-ss2016-asdb-xxxx-xxx-md.md)]

You can rename a table column in [!INCLUDE[ssCurrent](../../includes/sscurrent-md.md)] by using [!INCLUDE[ssManStudioFull](../../includes/ssmanstudiofull-md.md)] or [!INCLUDE[tsql](../../includes/tsql-md.md)].

**In This Topic**

- **Before you begin:**

   [Limitations and Restrictions](#Restrictions)

   [Security](#Security)

- **To rename columns, using:**

   [SQL Server Management Studio](#SSMSProcedure)

   [Transact-SQL](#TsqlProcedure)

## <a name="BeforeYouBegin"></a> Before You Begin

### <a name="Restrictions"></a> Limitations and Restrictions

Renaming a column will not automatically rename references to that column. You must modify any objects that reference the renamed column manually. For example, if you rename a table column and that column is referenced in a trigger, you must modify the trigger to reflect the new column name. Use [sys.sql_expression_dependencies](../../relational-databases/system-catalog-views/sys-sql-expression-dependencies-transact-sql.md) to list dependencies on the object before renaming it.

### <a name="Security"></a> Security

#### <a name="Permissions"></a> Permissions

Requires ALTER permission on the object.

## <a name="SSMSProcedure"></a> Using SQL Server Management Studio

### To rename a column using Object Explorer

1. In **Object Explorer**, connect to an instance of [!INCLUDE[ssDE](../../includes/ssde-md.md)].
2. In **Object Explorer**, right-click the table in which you want to rename columns and choose **Rename**.
3. Type a new column name.

### To rename a column using Table Designer

1. In **Object Explorer**, right-click the table to which you want to rename columns and choose **Design**.
2. Under **Column Name**, select the name you want to change and type a new one.
3. On the **File** menu, click **Save** _table name_.

> [!NOTE]
> You can also change the name of a column in the **Column Properties** tab. Select the column whose name you want to change and type a new value for **Name**.

## <a name="TsqlProcedure"></a> Using Transact-SQL

**To rename a column**

### To rename a column

The following example renames the column `TerritoryID` in the table `Sales.SalesTerritory` to `TerrID` in the AdventureWorks database.

```sql
EXEC sp_rename 'Sales.SalesTerritory.TerritoryID', 'TerrID', 'COLUMN';
```

For more information, see [sp_rename &#40;Transact-SQL&#41;](../../relational-databases/system-stored-procedures/sp-rename-transact-sql.md).