SQL Language Reference

Looking for a SQL language reference? Our free online SQL tutorial provides examples of SQL commands and SQL syntax. Bookmark our site and use our SQL tutorial as a SQL language reference.

Table of Contents

Ordering Multiple Columns

When ordering your data, you can have multiple sort levels. For example, you can order your data by city and then by name within the city.

Syntax:

Select fieldname, fieldname, fieldname
from tablename
order by fieldname <desc>, fieldname <desc>, fieldname <desc>

Explanation:

  • By default, the Order By clause orders the specified fields in ascending order.
  • Typing "desc" after a field name in the Order By clause tells SQL you want the data in the specified field displayed in descending order (Z to A, 100 to 1).
  • The first field name specified is the primary sort order, the second field name specified is the secondary sort order, and so on ...
Example:

Retrieve the city, name, and vendor ID from the TrnVendor table. Order your data by city and then by name within city:

  1. In the SQL text box, type:

Select City, Name, VendId
from TrnVendor
order by City, Name;

  1. Execute the SQL statement.
Results
 
City Name VendId
Bayshore Bayshore Consulting TV019
Burlington BayCon Group TV020
Chicago BedMakers Linen TV003
Chicago Distant Horizons TV028
Chicago Make Shift Tilts TV030
Chicago Music Maker TV016
Chicago Paltry Play TV029
Dallas Clampett Oil TV026
Dallas Cooperative Operatives TV021
Detroit Ray Block TV005
Detroit Spot Out TV007
Freeport Enterprise Transport TV024
Freeport Food Four TV017
Freeport World Wide Learning U TV023
Houston Legal Lookup TV022
Mercer Bed Room Furniture, Inc. TV004
Mercer The Freelance TV011
Monroe Big Tree Landscaping TV008
Monroe Softer Software TV013
New York Paper People TV012
Orlando Against the Tide TV025
Orlando The Soda Factory TV010
Park Ridge Mosquito No Bite TV006
Park Ridge No Waste Disposal TV015
Toledo Counter Productive TV014
Toledo Hit the Deck TV009
Toledo Narrow Nest TV027
Toledo Wet Off Towels TV001
Warren The Games All Here TV002
Youngstown Computer Bytes TV018
     
Table of Contents

Legal Dot Privacy