Changing varchar to blob

[jenni]

I have a database column that is a varchar, but I recently have started using mysql to encrypt the info. Occassionally, the encrypted version of the data is getting cut off. Is it safe to change the data type from varchar to blob? Will it mess with any existing data?

[bastien]

should be ok as long as the data is shorter than the largest value...since its varchar thats a 255 character limit

[jenni]

Right now, it is varchar 50...So changing it to blob should be fine?

[Roger_Ramjet]

BEST PRACTICE:

add a new blob column
transfer the existing data into it
check the data
drop the old column
rename the new one