Convert image datatype into varchar in sql server 2008

Question

We have TestPartner database in SQL Server. The descriptions of the bugs are stored in \"image\" datatype column. We need to write a query to display the data as html table. We

Answer 1

The simple answer is

select cast(cast(my_column as varbinary(max)) as varchar(max)) as column_name
from   my_table

This converts the column to varchar format. nvarchar(max) might be better if you have unicode data.