changing fieldsize in a replicated database

I am looking for a way to increase the size of a varchar field in a
replicated database, without disturbing the data of course. I do not
want to remove the replication just for this one issue. What would the
process be in writing a SQL query to accomplish this? The table name is
tblBid, and the field is bidNotes. It is a varchar(500), and I would
like it to be 900. Is there a size limitation on varchars?
Thanks.
*** Sent via Developersdex http://www.codecomments.com ***
Don't just participate in USENET...get rewarded for it!
Daniel,
Directly this can't be done. Indirectly it can, but not nicely! You could
add a new column with the new datatype (sp_repladdcolumn), do an update on
the table to populate the column, then drop the column (sp_repldropcolumn).
Do this again to create the column having the same original name.
BTW this is available directly using Alter Table in SQL 2005.
Rgds,
Paul Ibison (SQL Server MVP)
(recommended sql server 2000 replication book:
http://www.nwsu.com/0974973602p.html)