How to Convert SQL Server VARBINARY Data to a Human-Readable String?

Converting SQL Server VARBINARY(MAX) to Human-Readable Strings

Need to view your varbinary(max) data in a user-friendly format? This guide shows you how to convert it to a readable string in SQL Server.

The key is using the CONVERT function with the correct style parameter:

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

Here's a breakdown:

• VARCHAR(1000): Specifies the desired output data type. Adjust the length (1000) as needed.
• varbinary_column: Replace this with the name of your varbinary(max) column.
• 2: This crucial style parameter instructs CONVERT to use ASCII encoding, producing a human-readable string. Other options include:
  • 0: BASE64 encoding
  • 1: Hexadecimal encoding

Using style 2 ensures the most straightforward, understandable representation of your binary data.

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