varbinary to string on SQL Server

Question

How to convert a column value from varbinary(max) to varchar to read..

Answer 1

Try this

SELECT CONVERT(varchar(5000), yourvarbincolumn, 0)

Answer 2

Can you just cast it? This works for me.

declare @b varbinary(max)
set @b = 0x5468697320697320612074657374

select cast(@b as varchar(max)) /*Returns "This is a test"*/