Introduction

In this article, we will learn how to use the LIKE operator with wildcard characters in SQL.

To substitute one or more characters in a string a Wildcard character is used.

Wildcard characters are used with the LIKE operator in SQL. To search for a specified pattern in the column, The LIKE operator is used in a WHERE clause.

The Wildcard characters used in SQL are tabled below. All the wildcards can also be used in combinations!

Symbol	Description
%	It represents zero or more characters.
_	It represents a single character.
[]	It represents any single character within the brackets.
^	It represents any character, not in the brackets.
–	It represents a range of characters.

Syntax

SELECT column_name(s)
FROM TABLE_NAME
WHERE columnN LIKE pattern;

Example-1

The subsequent statement would return all articles with a Title starting with “I”, “O”, or “A”.

SELECT * FROM Article
WHERE Title LIKE '[IOA]%';

Example-2

The subsequent statement would return all articles with a Title NOT starting with “I”, “O”, or “A”.

SELECT * FROM Article 
WHERE Title LIKE '[^IOA]%';

Example-3

The subsequent statement would return all articles with a Title starting with “I”, “J”, “K”, “L”, “M”, “N” or “O”.

SELECT * FROM Customers
WHERE City LIKE '[I-O]%';

 

Also, check How To Use TOP Clause In SQL