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  • Performance Tuning

    SQL Index Creation Using DROP EXISTING= ON

    February 17, 2021 /

    When you are making changes to an existing Non-Clustered index SQL Server provides a wide variety of options. One of the more frequently used methods is DROP EXISTING; in this post you will learn all about that option. This option automatically drops an existing index after recreating it, without the index being explicitly dropped. Let us take a moment understand the behavior of this choice. DROP EXSITING=ON which is my preferred method, will DROP the current index only after it finishes creating and building the index with the new definition. The pitfall is that if the index does not exist, you will get an error and must create it without the…

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    Monica Morehouse (Rathbun)

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Monica Morehouse (Rathbun)

Microsoft MVP, Performancing Tuning Expert, Leader Hampton Roads SQL Server User Group, Read More…

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Top Posts & Pages

  • SQL Index Creation Using DROP EXISTING= ON
    SQL Index Creation Using DROP EXISTING= ON
  • It's All in the Name, Index Naming Conventions
    It's All in the Name, Index Naming Conventions
  • Understanding Columnstore Indexes in SQL Server Part 3
    Understanding Columnstore Indexes in SQL Server Part 3
  • Understanding Columnstore Indexes in SQL Server Part 2
    Understanding Columnstore Indexes in SQL Server Part 2
  • What’s a Key Lookup?
    What’s a Key Lookup?
  • DMV’s for the Beginner
    DMV’s for the Beginner
  • How to get started with Always Encrypted for Beginners Part 1
    How to get started with Always Encrypted for Beginners Part 1
  • Resizing Tempdb (When TEMPDB Wont Shrink)
    Resizing Tempdb (When TEMPDB Wont Shrink)
  • The Mystery of SQL Server 2025’s New Tricks - Scooby Dooing Episode 5
    The Mystery of SQL Server 2025’s New Tricks - Scooby Dooing Episode 5
  • The Gang vs. Jason: Unmasking JSON’s Secrets in SQL Server 2025- Scooby Dooing Episode 7
    The Gang vs. Jason: Unmasking JSON’s Secrets in SQL Server 2025- Scooby Dooing Episode 7
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