How to Convert SQL Server varbinary(max) to Human-Readable VARCHAR?

Converting varbinary(max) data to human-readable VARCHAR in SQL Server

This guide demonstrates how to transform varbinary(max) column values into user-friendly VARCHAR strings within SQL Server. The CONVERT() function is your key tool.

Here's the effective syntax:

<code class="language-sql">SELECT CONVERT(VARCHAR(1000), varbinary_column, 2);</code>

Let's break down the components:

• VARCHAR(1000): This defines the output data type as VARCHAR with a maximum length of 1000 characters. Adjust this value as necessary to accommodate your data.
• varbinary_column: This represents the name of your varbinary(max) column.
• 2: This style code dictates the conversion method. Available options are:

Style	Description
0	Hexadecimal
1	Decimal
2	Base64

Using style code 2 (Base64) generally yields the most readable string representation of your binary data. This conversion can be integrated seamlessly into various SQL operations, including queries, updates, and assignments, wherever a human-readable version of the binary data is needed.

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