By changing the query to what is below, I got it working without doing that. Now to just try to remember it for next time.....

USE [DB1]

GO

SET ANSI_NULLS ON

GO

SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER...

Elliott W (9/22/2009)

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I think your problem is the optimizer doesn't realize what you've done and generates an error.

But if you execute your update logic, that whole section of code in...

Elliott W (9/22/2009)

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You might issue your fill logic dynamically using dynamic SQL. It will execute in a slightly different context and will be recompiled (which is the important part) by...

By adding

USE [DB1]

GO

Before I start the cursor, convert the column to a non-nullable, set it as the primary key & delete the temp column I got it working.

Thank you, that fixed it. Always a good idea to have another set of eyes...