8126 Characters Per Column Only On Export?

I've got an issue - I've got a needed query that executes fine, etc..etc...

the issue is , 1 or more columns (depending) are of TEXT data type - and by virtue of potentially poor front end data entry design - they have large strings stored in each record - much of these strings are made even larger ( in char size ) because of html being stored in the db -- from a design point of view - I blame who ever designed the CMS system that allows this --- thats neither here nor there


The issue is I need these fields and their respective "description" data. BUT I also need to export it to something usable my a marketing department.

The issue lies in that MSSQL Studio - which in grid reports the columns, values, etc..etc.. fine - upon .CVS export - INSTEAD OF TRUNCATING @ THE MAX CHAR LENGTH PER COLUMN (8126 or something) IT PUSHES THE REMAINING TEXT TO THE NEXT COLUMN.


big problem --- to be honest, I dont really need all the data - even just like 500 characters would be more then enough


my question : Is there a way to limit column return lenght @ the query level ? (NOT a truncation of table)

Thanks!

EDIT:


HRMMM - Why not covert to varchar(XXX) size?

trying that