SQL DISTINCT

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What is SQL DISTINCT?

The SQL DISTINCT keyword specifies that only distinct / non-duplicate results are to be returned. DISTINCT can apply to single columns or to multiple columns.

Why Use SQL DISTINCT?

The DISTINCT keyword can help to understand information. For example, a query containing DISTINCT could return a non-duplicated list of cities where a company does business.

How To Use SQL DISTINCT

SQL DISTINCT is used as follows.

SQL DISTINCT Syntax

SELECT DISTINCT <column_name>
FROM <table_name>

The word DISTINCT can be placed in front of a single column name or a number of column names. When in front of multiple column names, a distinct combination is returned.

SQL DISTINCT Example

The following example a DISTINCT list of region_nbr referenced in the branch table is returned.

Here are the contents of the table:

Table: BRANCH

branch_nbr branch_name region_nbr employee_count

108 New York 100 10

110 Boston 100 6

212 Chicago 200 5

404 San Diego 400 6

415 San Jose 400 3

This SQL Statement with DISTINCT is executed:

SELECT DISTINCT region_nbr
FROM branch
ORDER BY region_nbr

Here is the result.

region_nbr

100

200

400