The column scale refers to the maximum number of digits to the right of the decimal point for those columns of the decimal or numeric data types. By default, it is set to 0. For columns with floating point numbers, the scale is undefined because the number of digits to the right of the decimal point is not fixed. Developers can change the scale for a numeric or decimal data type if they want to redefine the number of digits that can appear to the right of the decimal point. When developers working with SQL Server “Denali”, MS SQL Server 2008 R2 and MS SQL Server 2005 want to modify the scale of a columns data type, they should follow the next steps:
1. In Object Explorer, right-click the table with columns for which they want to modify the length and click Design (Modify in SP1 or earlier).
The table opens in Table Designer.
2. Select the column for which they want to change the scale.
3. In Column Properties tab, click the grid cell for the Scale property and enter a value for the scale.
The new length is assigned to the column in the Table Designer after they click outside the grid cell or use the TAB key to move to another grid cell. It takes effect in the database when they save their changes in Table Designer.