IF...ELSE (Transact-SQL)

Article
02/28/2023
2 minutes to read

Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance Azure Synapse Analytics Analytics Platform System (PDW)

Imposes conditions on the execution of a Transact-SQL statement. The Transact-SQL statement that follows an IF keyword and its condition is executed if the condition is satisfied: the Boolean expression returns TRUE. The optional ELSE keyword introduces another Transact-SQL statement that is executed when the IF condition is not satisfied: the Boolean expression returns FALSE.

Transact-SQL syntax conventions

Syntax

IF Boolean_expression   
     { sql_statement | statement_block }   
[ ELSE   
     { sql_statement | statement_block } ]

Note

To view Transact-SQL syntax for SQL Server 2014 and earlier, see Previous versions documentation.

Arguments

Boolean_expression
Is an expression that returns TRUE or FALSE. If the Boolean expression contains a SELECT statement, the SELECT statement must be enclosed in parentheses.

{ sql_statement| statement_block }
Is any Transact-SQL statement or statement grouping as defined by using a statement block. Unless a statement block is used, the IF or ELSE condition can affect the performance of only one Transact-SQL statement.

To define a statement block, use the control-of-flow keywords BEGIN and END.

Remarks

An IF...ELSE construct can be used in batches, in stored procedures, and in ad hoc queries. When this construct is used in a stored procedure, it is frequently used to test for the existence of some parameter.

IF tests can be nested after another IF or following an ELSE. The limit to the number of nested levels depends on available memory.

Example

IF DATENAME(weekday, GETDATE()) IN (N'Saturday', N'Sunday')
       SELECT 'Weekend';
ELSE 
       SELECT 'Weekday';

For more examples, see ELSE (IF...ELSE) (Transact-SQL).

Examples: Azure Synapse Analytics and Analytics Platform System (PDW)

The following example uses IF...ELSE to determine which of two responses to show the user, based on the weight of an item in the DimProduct table.

-- Uses AdventureWorksDW  

DECLARE @maxWeight FLOAT, @productKey INTEGER  
SET @maxWeight = 100.00  
SET @productKey = 424  
IF @maxWeight <= (SELECT Weight from DimProduct WHERE ProductKey = @productKey)   
    SELECT @productKey AS ProductKey, EnglishDescription, Weight, 'This product is too heavy to ship and is only available for pickup.' 
        AS ShippingStatus
    FROM DimProduct WHERE ProductKey = @productKey
ELSE  
    SELECT @productKey AS ProductKey, EnglishDescription, Weight, 'This product is available for shipping or pickup.' 
        AS ShippingStatus
    FROM DimProduct WHERE ProductKey = @productKey