SQL WHERE Clause

The WHERE clause is used to filter records.

It is used to extract only those records that fulfill a specified condition.

Example​

Select all customers from Mexico:

SELECT \* FROM Customers  
WHERE Country='Mexico';

Video Explanation​

Watch

Syntax​

SELECT _column1_, _column2, ..._ FROM _table_name_ WHERE _condition_;

Note: The WHERE clause is not only used in SELECT statements, it is also used in UPDATE, DELETE, etc.!

Demo Database​

Below is a selection from the Customers table used in the examples:

Text Fields vs. Numeric Fields​

SQL requires single quotes around text values (most database systems will also allow double quotes).

However, numeric fields should not be enclosed in quotes:

Example​

SELECT \* FROM Customers  
WHERE CustomerID=1;

Operators in The WHERE Clause​

You can use other operators than the = operator to filter the search.

Example​

Select all customers with a CustomerID greater than 80:

SELECT \* FROM Customers  
WHERE CustomerID > 80;

The following operators can be used in the WHERE clause: