SQL Server : Extracting Everything Before a Certain Character

Question

I have this:

21654-8012
1234-127834
12345-1222

I want to extract this:

21654
1234
12345

Basically, everything before the hyphen, - character. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start?

Use [LEFT](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/functions/left-transact-sql?view=sql-server-2017) and [CHARINDEX](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sql/t-sql/functions/charindex-transact-sql?view=sql-server-2017) — Sean Lange, Sep 12 '18 at 15:46
I tried playing with Left, but I didn't know there was a CHARINDEX function. Will try that — Chicken Sandwich No Pickles, Sep 12 '18 at 15:47
bingo, it worked. You should have posted this as the answer so I could give you credit :p — Chicken Sandwich No Pickles, Sep 12 '18 at 15:50
No biggie. I don't care much about points. Glad you got it solved. — Sean Lange, Sep 12 '18 at 15:51

score 2 · Accepted Answer · answered Sep 12 '18 at 15:50

2

Use left WITH charindex() :

select t.col, left(col, charindex('-', col)-1)
from table t;

answered Sep 12 '18 at 15:50

Yogesh Sharma

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 12 '18 at 15:50

You can use CHARINDEX function

   DECLARE @text VARCHAR(20)
   SET @text = '123456-0000'
   SELECT SUBSTRING(@text, 0, CHARINDEX('-', @text))

Instead of @text, you can use your field name

 SELECT SUBSTRING(YOUR_COLUMN_NAME, 0, CHARINDEX('-', YOUR_COLUMN_NAME)) FROM YOUR_TABLE_NAME

2 Answers2