Find changes on sql database table

[schoemr]

Hi, I made a mess.

in a specific table I ran a query to update a specific column value for a specific user

Update MyTable SET MyColumn = 'SomeValue' WHERE UserID ='123'

A large number of records was updated. It was only then that I realized that I had to specify another condition also in the WHERE clause. With the additional condition or parameter much less rows would have been impacted.

I have the date it was done, I have an approximate time, I have the UserID...

Is is possible to see in MyColumn what was changed to what?


Unfortunately for me the last backup was too long ago otherwise I could have restored..

Of course there be lessons to learn here but right now I need to fix the mess I made...

[TysonLPrice]

Do you have any logging/transaction logs still available?

[schoemr]

Hi Tyson, I think there should be. This happened only a few days ago...

Is that something that should have been enabled? I can't check now at the moment. I can only check in the morning...

[TysonLPrice]

It has been a while but Google:

ssms restore from transaction log

I just did and you may be able to point and click your way out.

[schoemr]

Okay thank you Tyson. I'll run that one down

[sapator]

First take a backup. You don't want to mess things up more.
Also check you recovery model. If it simple recovery model, I'm afraid there is not much you can do because as you have said, the last backup was a long time ago.
Also an advice.I have to deal with millions of rows so I always use transaction when I run a query.
If you are stuck you can also ask an admin to move this to the database forum (should be there in the first place), there are a lot of experts more suitable than me there, possibly a db administrator can help you more.

[Shaggy Hiker]

Ah, let's just move it anyways. Might get some other answers, though these seem pretty good.