A reader got Msg 511 when adding a sparse column. Sparse columns reduce the maximum row size from 8060 to 8018 bytes. Here is what that means for you.
SQL SERVER – CREATE TABLE Failed Because Column ‘C1024’ in Table ‘myTable’ Exceeds the Maximum of 1024 Columns
Sparse columns should let a table go past 1024 columns, yet a reader’s CREATE TABLE failed saying it exceeds the maximum of 1024 columns. Here is why.
SQL SERVER – 2008 – Introduction to SPARSE Columns – Part 2
Part 2 on SPARSE Columns in SQL Server 2008: how they are stored as one XML column, plus the main advantages and the limits you should know about.
SQL SERVER – 2008 – Introduction to SPARSE Columns
A quick introduction to SPARSE Columns in SQL Server 2008, which take almost no space for NULL and zero values. Learn the basics and the 100,000 column limit.