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Understanding  SQL Server  Case Expression with Example

Understanding SQL Server Case Expression with Example

18 Mar 2024
Intermediate
8.88K Views
13 min read

SQL Server Case Expression: An Overview

Sometimes, you are required to fetch or modify the records based on some conditions. In this case, you may use a cursor or loop to modify your records. In this situation, Case expression is the best alternative for Cursor/looping and also provides better performance.

You can use CASE expressions anywhere in the SQL Query. CASE expressions can be used with SELECT statements, WHERE clauses, Order by clause, HAVING clauses, Insert, UPDATE, and DELETE statements.

Read More: Basics of SQL Commands

Format of CASE Expression

The CASE expression has the following two formats:

1. Simple CASE Expression

This compares an expression to a set of simple expressions to find the result. This expression compares an expression to the expression in each WHEN clause for equivalency. If the expression within the WHEN clause is matched, the expression in the THEN clause will be returned.

Simple CASE Expression

Syntax


CASE expression
WHEN expression1 THEN Result1
WHEN expression2 THEN Result2
ELSE ResultN
END

2. Searched CASE Expressions

This expression evaluates a set of Boolean expressions to find the result. This expression allows comparison operators, and logical operators AND/OR within each Boolean expression.

Searched CASE Expressions

Syntax


CASE
WHEN Boolean_expression1 THEN Result1
WHEN Boolean_expression2 THEN Result2
ELSE ResultN
END

CASE Expression Example


CREATE TABLE dbo.Customer 
( 
CustID INT IDENTITY PRIMARY KEY, 
FirstName VARCHAR(40) NOT NULL, 
LastName VARCHAR(40) NOT NULL, 
StateCode VARCHAR(20) NOT NULL, 
PayRate money NOT NULL DEFAULT 0.00,
Gender VARCHAR(1) NOT NULL, 
) 
GO

INSERT INTO dbo.Customer (FirstName, LastName, StateCode, PayRate,Gender) 
VALUES('Tejendra', 'Kumar', 'UP', 150.00,'M')

INSERT INTO dbo.Customer (FirstName, LastName, StateCode, PayRate,Gender) 
VALUES('Jolly', 'Kapoor', 'MP', 50.00 ,'F')

INSERT INTO dbo.Customer (FirstName, LastName, StateCode, PayRate,Gender) 
VALUES('Pavan', 'Kumar', 'MP', 200.00 ,'M')

INSERT INTO dbo.Customer (FirstName, LastName, StateCode, PayRate,Gender) 
VALUES('Boby', 'Sharma', 'DL', 180.00 ,'F')

INSERT INTO dbo.Customer (FirstName, LastName, StateCode, PayRate,Gender) 
VALUES('Asif', 'Khan', 'DL', 210.00 ,'M')
GO 

SELECT * from Customer

Read More: SQL Server Interview Questions and Answers

SELECT statement with CASE Expressions


--Simple CASE expression: 
SELECT FirstName, State=(CASE StateCode
 WHEN 'MP' THEN 'Madhya Pradesh' 
 WHEN 'UP' THEN 'Uttar Pradesh' 
 WHEN 'DL' THEN 'Delhi' 
 ELSE NULL 
 END), PayRate
FROM dbo.Customer

-- Searched CASE expression:
SELECT FirstName,State=(CASE 
 WHEN StateCode = 'MP' THEN 'Madhya Pradesh' 
 WHEN StateCode = 'UP' THEN 'Uttar Pradesh' 
 WHEN StateCode = 'DL' THEN 'Delhi' 
 ELSE NULL 
 END), PayRate
FROM dbo.Customer

Update Statement with CASE Expression


-- Simple CASE expression: 
UPDATE Customer 
SET StateCode = CASE StateCode
 WHEN 'MP' THEN 'Madhya Pradesh' 
 WHEN 'UP' THEN 'Uttar Pradesh' 
 WHEN 'DL' THEN 'Delhi' 
 ELSE NULL 
 END 

-- Simple CASE expression: 
UPDATE Customer 
SET StateCode = CASE 
 WHEN StateCode = 'MP' THEN 'Madhya Pradesh' 
 WHEN StateCode = 'UP' THEN 'Uttar Pradesh' 
 WHEN StateCode = 'DL' THEN 'Delhi' 
 ELSE NULL 
 END 

ORDER BY Clause with CASE Expressions


-- Simple CASE expression: 
SELECT * FROM dbo.Customer
ORDER BY 
 CASE Gender WHEN 'M' THEN FirstName END Desc,
 CASE Gender WHEN 'F' THEN LastName END ASC

-- Searched CASE expression: 
SELECT * FROM dbo.Customer
ORDER BY 
 CASE WHEN Gender='M' THEN FirstName END Desc,
 CASE WHEN Gender='F' THEN LastName END ASC

Having Clause with CASE Expression


-- Simple CASE expression: 
SELECT FirstName ,StateCode,Gender, Total=MAX(PayRate)
FROM dbo.Customer
GROUP BY StateCode,Gender,FirstName
HAVING (MAX(CASE Gender WHEN 'M' 
 THEN PayRate 
 ELSE NULL END) > 180.00
 OR MAX(CASE Gender WHEN 'F' 
 THEN PayRate 
 ELSE NULL END) > 170.00)

-- Searched CASE expression: 
SELECT FirstName ,StateCode,Gender, Total=MAX(PayRate)
FROM dbo.Customer
GROUP BY StateCode,Gender,FirstName
HAVING (MAX(CASE WHEN Gender = 'M' 
 THEN PayRate 
 ELSE NULL END) > 180.00
 OR MAX(CASE WHEN Gender = 'F' 
 THEN PayRate 
 ELSE NULL END) > 170.00)

What do you think?

In this article, I try to explain the SQL Server Case Expression with Example. I hope you will enjoy the tips while playing with SQL Server. For practical experience, consider our SQL Server Course.

Do you Know?

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FAQs

Q1. What is the CASE Expression?

The CASE expression returns a single value based on the result of a condition. It replaces a value with some other value you specify.

Q2. How do you use case in SQL Server?

CASE can be used in any statement or clause that allows a valid expression. For example, you can use CASE in statements such as SELECT, UPDATE, DELETE, and SET, and in clauses such as, IN, WHERE, ORDER BY, and HAVING.

Q3. What is the purpose of using case in a SQL query?

The main purpose of using CASE in a SQL query is to perform conditional transformations or aggregations on data.

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About Author
Shailendra Chauhan (Microsoft MVP, Founder & CEO at Scholarhat by DotNetTricks)

Shailendra Chauhan is the Founder and CEO at ScholarHat by DotNetTricks which is a brand when it comes to e-Learning. He provides training and consultation over an array of technologies like Cloud, .NET, Angular, React, Node, Microservices, Containers and Mobile Apps development. He has been awarded Microsoft MVP 8th time in a row (2016-2023). He has changed many lives with his writings and unique training programs. He has a number of most sought-after books to his name which has helped job aspirants in cracking tough interviews with ease.
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