SQL Padding

[AnnetteBean]

Can anyone help me. Is it possible to left pad an int column in a table at it's source. I've read the scripts to update it but would prefer it if was automatic at time of entry. IS this possible, any ideas?

Many thanks

[MAK]

Not in integer column.

If it is char/varchar/nchar/nvarchar column then Yes using trigger or when inserting using a udf function

[AnnetteBean]

If I alter the column type to nvarchar for example what is my best way of padding it?

[MAK]

Why cant you use a view or a computed column

create table mytable (id int, name varchar(100))
insert into mytable select 1,'a'
insert into mytable select 2,'b'
insert into mytable select 3,'c'
insert into mytable select 441,'d'
insert into mytable select 51,'e'
insert into mytable select 61,'f'

--View with LPAD 5
create view mytable_view as
select right('00000'+convert(varchar(5),id),5) as id , name from
mytable

select * from mytable_view

--Computed column with LPAD5

alter table mytable add myid as right('00000'+convert(varchar(5),id),5)

select * from mytable

id,name,myid
1,a,00001
2,b,00002
3,c,00003
441,d,00441
51,e,00051
61,f,00061

[AnnetteBean]

Will do that, that's great. Many thanks for your help.