Transact-SQL Desk Reference

4.2. UPDATE

The UPDATE command changes existing data in a table.

4.2.1. UPDATE—Basic Syntax

The complete syntax and the arguments of UPDATE can be found on page 448, in section 4.2.2. The following code shows the basics of the UPDATE syntax and some examples of its use.

Syntax

UPDATE { table_name | view_name | rowset_function_limited }
  SET     column_name
							= { expression | DEFAULT | NULL } [ ,...n ]
  [ WHERE < search_condition > ]

4.2.1.1. Examples of UPDATE

Example

Let's first create a sample database with some sample data to play with. (Execute each “SQL:” section separately or add “go” after each to make it a separate batch.)

SQL CREATE DATABASE mydb USE mydb SELECT * INTO shippers FROM northwind.dbo.shippers Display the data before making ...