Create Table SQL Server as Select

Hello Dev! Are you looking for a way to create tables in SQL Server using select statements? If so, you have come to the right place. This article will guide you through the process of creating tables using the “create table as select” statement in SQL Server.

What is Create Table as Select in SQL Server?

The “create table as select” statement is a powerful feature in SQL Server that allows you to create a new table based on the data selected from an existing table or tables. This statement copies the data and schema of the selected table(s) into the newly created table. This feature is commonly used by developers and database administrators to create a temporary table or to backup or archive data.

How does Create Table as Select work?

The “create table as select” statement works by selecting the data and schema from the source table(s) and creating a new table with the same structure and data. The basic syntax for the statement is as follows:

Keyword	Description
CREATE TABLE	Keyword used to create a new table
table_name	Name of the new table to be created
AS	Keyword used to specify the query that selects data from the source table(s)
SELECT	Keyword used to select data from the source table(s)
source_table_name	Name of the source table(s) to be selected from

A sample query would look like this:

CREATE TABLE new_table AS SELECT * FROM source_table

This query creates a new table called “new_table” and copies all the data from “source_table” into it.

What are the benefits of Create Table as Select?

There are several benefits of using the “create table as select” statement in SQL Server:

• Allows you to create a temporary table without creating a permanent table
• Allows backup and archiving of data
• Efficient way to create a new table with the same schema and data as an existing table
• Reduces query complexity and improves query performance

How to use Create Table as Select in SQL Server?

Using the “create table as select” statement in SQL Server is straightforward. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Connect to the Database

First, connect to the database where the source table(s) exist using SQL Server Management Studio or any other SQL Server client.

Step 2: Create the New Table

Create a new table using the syntax mentioned above. You can change the column names and structure of the new table as per your requirements.

CREATE TABLE new_table (column1 datatype1, column2 datatype2, column3 datatype3, ...)

Step 3: Select Data from the Source Table(s)

Select the data from the source table(s) using the SELECT statement. You can also use WHERE, JOIN, and GROUP BY clauses to filter and group the data.

SELECT column1, column2, column3, ... FROM source_table WHERE condition

Step 4: Combine Create Table and Select Statements

Combine the “create table” and “select” statements to create a new table with the selected data from the source table(s).

CREATE TABLE new_table AS SELECT column1, column2, column3, ... FROM source_table WHERE condition

You can also use the “*” wildcard character to select all columns.

Step 5: Verify the New Table

Verify the new table by checking its schema and data using the SELECT statement. You can also use the DESCRIBE command to view the structure of the new table.

SELECT * FROM new_table

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I create a new table with only selected columns?

Yes, you can create a new table with only selected columns by specifying the column names in the “create table” statement. For example, to create a new table with only “column1” and “column2” from the source table, use the following query:

CREATE TABLE new_table (column1 datatype1, column2 datatype2) AS SELECT column1, column2 FROM source_table

Can I create a new table with data from multiple tables?

Yes, you can create a new table with data from multiple tables by using the JOIN clause in the SELECT statement. For example, to create a new table with data from “table1” and “table2”, use the following query:

CREATE TABLE new_table AS SELECT t1.column1, t2.column2 FROM table1 t1 JOIN table2 t2 ON t1.id = t2.id

Can I create a new table with aggregated data?

Yes, you can create a new table with aggregated data by using the GROUP BY clause in the SELECT statement. For example, to create a new table with the total sales of each product from the “sales” table, use the following query:

CREATE TABLE sales_summary AS SELECT product, SUM(sales) as total_sales FROM sales GROUP BY product

Can I create a temporary table using Create Table as Select?

Yes, you can create a temporary table using the “create table as select” statement by prefixing the table name with a “#” symbol. For example, to create a temporary table called “#temp_table”, use the following query:

CREATE TABLE #temp_table AS SELECT * FROM source_table

What are the limitations of Create Table as Select?

The “create table as select” statement has a few limitations that you should be aware of:

• The new table is not indexed, so you need to manually create indexes for it
• Cannot specify NOT NULL, UNIQUE, or CHECK constraints while creating the new table
• Cannot specify foreign keys while creating the new table
• Cannot specify the tablespace or storage parameters while creating the new table

Conclusion

In conclusion, the “create table as select” statement is a powerful feature in SQL Server that allows you to create a new table based on the data selected from an existing table or tables. This feature is commonly used by developers and database administrators to create a temporary table, to backup or archive data, or to create a new table with the same schema and data as an existing table. Follow the steps mentioned in this article to use this feature effectively in your SQL Server projects.