SQL Wildcards

SQL wildcards can be used when searching for data in a database.

SQL Wildcards 

SQL wildcards can substitute for one or more characters when searching for data in a database.

SQL wildcards must be used with the SQL LIKE operator.

With SQL, the following wildcards can be used:

SQL Wildcard Examples

We have the following "Persons" table:

Using the % Wildcard

Now we want to select the persons living in a city that starts with "sa" from the "Persons" table.

We use the following SELECT statement:

SELECT * FROM Persons
WHERE City LIKE 'sa%'

The result-set will look like this:

Next, we want to select the persons living in a city that contains the pattern "nes" from the "Persons" table.

We use the following SELECT statement:

SELECT * FROM Persons
WHERE City LIKE '%nes%'

The result-set will look like this:

Using the _ Wildcard

Now we want to select the persons with a first name that starts with any character, followed by "la" from the "Persons" table.

We use the following SELECT statement:

SELECT * FROM Persons
WHERE FirstName LIKE '_la'

The result-set will look like this:

Next, we want to select the persons with a last name that starts with "S", followed by any character, followed by "end", followed by any character, followed by "on" from the "Persons" table.

We use the following SELECT statement:

SELECT * FROM Persons
WHERE LastName LIKE 'S_end_on'

The result-set will look like this:

Using the [charlist] Wildcard

Now we want to select the persons with a last name that starts with "b" or "s" or "p" from the "Persons" table.

We use the following SELECT statement:

SELECT * FROM Persons
WHERE LastName LIKE '[bsp]%'

The result-set will look like this:

Next, we want to select the persons with a last name that do not start with "b" or "s" or "p" from the "Persons" table.

We use the following SELECT statement:

SELECT * FROM Persons
WHERE LastName LIKE '[!bsp]%'

The result-set will look like this:

Get Your Diploma! W3Schools' Online Certification Program is the perfect solution for busy professionals who need to balance work, family, and career building. The HTML Certificate is for developers who want to document their knowledge of HTML, XHTML, and CSS. The JavaScript Certificate is for developers who want to document their knowledge of JavaScript and the HTML DOM. The ASP Certificate is for developers who want to document their knowledge of ASP, SQL, and ADO.

Jump to: Top of Page or HOME or Printer friendly page

W3Schools provides material for training only. We do not warrant the correctness of its contents. The risk from using it lies entirely with the user. While using this site, you agree to have read and accepted our terms of use and privacy policy.

Copyright 1999-2008 by Refsnes Data. All Rights Reserved.

W3Schools was converted to XHTML in December 1999