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283. CONVERT Function

Learn how SQL Server uses CONVERT to change data types and format date values.

📘 Lesson 283 of 728 ⏱ 10 min 🎯 Intermediate

CONVERT is a SQL Server function used to convert an expression from one data type to another and can also provide style options for certain conversions, especially dates.

CONVERT is useful when working with data imported in different formats or when SQL Server reports require specific date representations.

Convert a date into a formatted character representation in SQL Server.

SQL 
SELECT
    CONVERT(VARCHAR(10), OrderDate, 120) AS OrderDateText
FROM Orders;

CONVERT is commonly used in SQL Server reporting, data transformation, date formatting, and type conversion.

  • CONVERT is commonly associated with SQL Server.
  • It converts one data type into another.
  • It supports date conversion styles.
  • It is useful in reporting.
  • Syntax is database-specific.
What does CONVERT do?

CONVERT changes an expression from one data type to another in database systems that support it.

How is CONVERT different from CAST?

Both can convert data types, but SQL Server CONVERT provides additional style options for certain conversions.

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