is of a type that is invalid for use as a key column in an index

Question

I have an error at

Column \'key\' in table \'misc_info\' is of a type that is invalid for use as a key column in an index.

where key is a n

Answer 1

There is a limitation in SQL Server (up till 2008 R2) that varchar(MAX) and nvarchar(MAX) (and several other types like text, ntext ) cannot be used in indices. You have 2 options:
1. Set a limited size on the key field ex. nvarchar(100)
2. Create a check constraint that compares the value with all the keys in the table. The condition is:

([dbo].[CheckKey]([key])=(1))

and [dbo].[CheckKey] is a scalar function defined as:

CREATE FUNCTION [dbo].[CheckKey]
(
    @key nvarchar(max)
)
RETURNS bit
AS
BEGIN
    declare @res bit
    if exists(select * from key_value where [key] = @key)
        set @res = 0
    else
        set @res = 1

    return @res
END

But note that a native index is more performant than a check constraint so unless you really can't specify a length, don't use the check constraint.