In this article I will explain with an example, how to split and convert a comma separated / delimited string to a table using Split function in SQL Server 2005, 2008, 2012 and higher versions.
The string containing words or letters separated (delimited) by comma will be split into Table values.
This article will illustrate how to create a function that will split a string separated (delimited) by comma into Table Rows in SQL Server.
Database
For this article I am making use of the Microsoft’s Northwind Database. Download and install instructions are provided in the link below.
The SplitString function
The following script has to be executed. The SplitString function is a Table-Valued function i.e. it returns a Table as output and accepts two parameters namely:
1. @Input – The string to be split.
2. @Character – The character that is used to separate the words or letters.
CREATE FUNCTION SplitString
(
@Input NVARCHAR(MAX),
@Character CHAR(1)
)
RETURNS @Output TABLE (
Item NVARCHAR(1000)
)
AS
BEGIN
DECLARE @StartIndex INT, @EndIndex INT
SET @StartIndex = 1
IF SUBSTRING(@Input, LEN(@Input) - 1, LEN(@Input)) <> @Character
BEGIN
SET @Input = @Input + @Character
END
WHILE CHARINDEX(@Character, @Input) > 0
BEGIN
SET @EndIndex = CHARINDEX(@Character, @Input)
INSERT INTO @Output(Item)
SELECT SUBSTRING(@Input, @StartIndex, @EndIndex - 1)
SET @Input = SUBSTRING(@Input, @EndIndex + 1, LEN(@Input))
END
RETURN
END
GO
Using the SplitString function in SQL Query
The following SQL query split the string separated (delimited) by comma.
SELECT Item
FROM dbo.SplitString('Apple,Mango,Banana,Guava', ',')
Output
![Split and convert Comma Separated (Delimited) String to Table in SQL Server]()
Using the SplitString function in a Stored Procedure
The following Stored Procedure needs to be created which will accept the string separated (delimited) by comma.
CREATE PROCEDURE GetEmployees
@EmployeeIds VARCHAR(100)
AS
BEGIN
SELECT FirstName, LastName
FROM Employees
WHERE EmployeeId IN(
SELECT CAST(Item AS INTEGER)
FROM dbo.SplitString(@EmployeeIds, ',')
)
END
Executing the Stored Procedure
The Stored Procedure is executed which finally returns the FirstName and LastName records of Employees for which the Ids are passed using a string separated (delimited) by comma.
EXEC GetEmployees '1,3,5,9'
Output
![Split and convert Comma Separated (Delimited) String to Table in SQL Server]()
Downloads
