There are at least 3 ways to find out if the column in table exists in MS SQL server. It's a common task for developers or administrators when you need to modify table.

1. Using COL_LENGTH

IF COL_LENGTH('AllLists', 'tp_Author') IS NOT NULL
    PRINT 'Column Exists'
ELSE
    PRINT 'Column doesn''t Exists'

 

2. Using sys.columns

IF EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM sys.columns 
          WHERE Name = N'tp_Author'
          AND Object_ID = Object_ID(N'AllLists'))
    PRINT 'Column Exists'
ELSE
    PRINT 'Column doesn''t Exists'

 

3. Using INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS

IF EXISTS 
(
    SELECT * 
    FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS 
    WHERE table_name = 'AllLists'
    AND column_name = 'tp_Author'
)
    PRINT 'Column Exists'
ELSE
    PRINT 'Column doesn''t Exists'