SQL Quick Reference

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Displaying Rows in Descending Order

If you would like to see fields displayed in descending order, follow the field name with "desc" in the Order By clause.

Syntax:

Select */fieldname ...
from tablename
order by fieldname <desc> ...

Explanation:

  • By default, the Order By clause tells SQL you want the field displayed in ascending order.
  • Typing "desc" after the field name in the Order By clause tells SQL you want the data in the field displayed in descending order (Z to A, 100 to 1).
Example:

Retrieve the city, vendor ID, and name from the TrnVendor table. Order your data by city in descending order:

  1. In the SQL text box, type:

Select City, VendId, Name 
from TrnVendor
order by City desc;

  1. Execute the SQL statement.
Results
 
City VendId Name
Youngstown TV018 Computer Bytes
Warren TV002 The Games All Here
Toledo TV027 Narrow Nest
Toledo TV014 Counter Productive
Toledo TV009 Hit the Deck
Toledo TV001 Wet Off Towels
Park Ridge TV015 No Waste Disposal
Park Ridge TV006 Mosquito No Bite
Orlando TV025 Against the Tide
Orlando TV010 The Soda Factory
New York TV012 Paper People
Monroe TV013 Softer Software
Monroe TV008 Big Tree Landscaping
Mercer TV011 The Freelance
Mercer TV004 Bed Room Furniture, Inc.
Houston TV022 Legal Lookup
Freeport TV024 Enterprise Transport
Freeport TV023 World Wide Learning U
Freeport TV017 Food Four
Detroit TV007 Spot Out
Detroit TV005 Ray Block
Dallas TV026 Clampett Oil
Dallas TV021 Cooperative Operatives
Chicago TV030 Make Shift Tilts
Chicago TV029 Paltry Play
Chicago TV028 Distant Horizons
Chicago TV016 Music Maker
Chicago TV003 BedMakers Linen
Burlington TV020 BayCon Group
Bayshore TV019 Bayshore Consulting
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