Need to select alternate column if first choice is NULL

[warelock]

I'm working with SQL Server 2000 on Windows XP. IN one query, I want to select a federal tax ID number for each record, but if that tax ID number is NULL, I need to select a different SS ID column. I don't know how to do this !

Can you help me please ?

Appreciate any help you can give. Thanks !

 

[gmmastros]

Select [!]Coalesce[/!](FedTaxId, SS_ID)

Look it up in Books On Line.

-George

Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause. - Fortune cookie wisdom

 

[warelock]

Thank you, gmmmastros !

BTW, what are Books OnLine ? Yes, I may be an idiot.

 

[gmmastros]

Book On Line are the help files for T-SQL.

When you are using the query analyzer, you can press F1 for help. Unfortunately, this is help for USING Query Analyzer. To get help on SQL Syntax, press SHIFT-F1 in the query analyzer.

For example, type Coalesce in to Query Anaylyzer. Make sure the cursor is somewhere within that word, and then press Shift-F1 on your keyboard. Books On Line will open with Coalesce highlighted.

-George

Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause. - Fortune cookie wisdom

 

[warelock]

Many thanks. This helps.

 

[gmmastros]

Also, please take a look at this FAQ's: faq183-689


-George

Strong and bitter words indicate a weak cause. - Fortune cookie wisdom

 

[JarlH]

select COALESCE(taxIDnumber,differentSSIDcolumn), ... FROM whatevertables