SSMS blocks table edits when the change requires a drop-and-recreate operation, showing “Saving changes is not permitted.”
"Saving changes is not permitted" appears in SQL Server Management Studio when a table edit would force SSMS to drop and recreate the table. Uncheck Designers → Prevent saving changes that require table re-creation or run ALTER TABLE T-SQL to resolve the issue.
Saving changes is not permitted. The changes you have made require the following tables to be dropped and re-created. You have either made changes to a table that can't be recreated or enabled the option Prevent saving changes that require the table to be recreated.
The error is thrown by SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) when you modify a table in the visual designer and the change requires dropping and recreating that table. SSMS blocks the operation to protect you from accidental data loss.
The restriction is a client-side safety feature; the SQL Server engine itself allows the change through standard ALTER TABLE commands.
Disabling the option or issuing manual T-SQL bypasses the block.
SSMS detects that the table alteration—such as changing a column order, data type, or nullability—needs a full drop-and-recreate.
The built-in setting “Prevent saving changes that require table re-creation” is enabled by default, so the designer refuses to save.
Using older SSMS versions, poorly configured SSDT environments, or limited permissions can also surface the same message, even when the underlying database would accept the DDL.
Fastest fix: uncheck Tools → Options → Designers → Table and Database Designers → Prevent saving changes that require table re-creation.
Click OK and retry the save.
Safer fix: script the change manually. Use ALTER TABLE to add, drop, or modify columns so the operation is explicit and reversible, preserving data and indexes.
Changing a NULL column to NOT NULL with existing NULLs triggers the block. Run an UPDATE to replace NULLs, then ALTER TABLE … ALTER COLUMN to apply NOT NULL safely.
Re-ordering columns is cosmetic and forces a table rebuild.
Instead, create a view to present the columns in the desired order, avoiding physical changes.
Create migration scripts in a version-controlled folder rather than relying on the designer. Galaxy’s AI copilot can autogenerate these ALTER TABLE scripts and flag risky operations before execution.
Enable SSMS’s “Generate Change Script” button before committing changes.
Review the script for drop-and-recreate statements and back up affected tables.
“Cannot drop table because it is referenced by a FOREIGN KEY” occurs when dependent constraints exist. Drop or disable the constraint first, then retry.
“Column names in each table must be unique” arises when adding a duplicate column name. Rename or remove the conflicting column to proceed.
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Yes. Dropping and recreating a table can remove data, indexes, and permissions. Always back up before disabling.
Yes. Generate the change script, adjust it to use ALTER TABLE, and run it manually.
Because the error is a client-side restriction. SQL Server itself has no such limitation.
Galaxy’s AI copilot writes ALTER TABLE scripts, highlights drop-and-recreate risks, and stores approved migrations for team reuse.
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