How do I select all the columns in a table that only contain NULL values for all the rows? I'm using MS SQL Server 2005. I'm trying to find out which columns are not used in the table so I can delete them.
This question is related to
sql-server
If you need to list all rows where all the column values are NULL, then i'd use the COLLATE function. This takes a list of values and returns the first non-null value. If you add all the column names to the list, then use IS NULL, you should get all the rows containing only nulls.
SELECT * FROM MyTable WHERE COLLATE(Col1, Col2, Col3, Col4......) IS NULL
You shouldn't really have any tables with ALL the columns null, as this means you don't have a primary key (not allowed to be null). Not having a primary key is something to be avoided; this breaks the first normal form.
Try this -
DECLARE @table VARCHAR(100) = 'dbo.table'
DECLARE @sql NVARCHAR(MAX) = ''
SELECT @sql = @sql + 'IF NOT EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM ' + @table + ' WHERE ' + c.name + ' IS NOT NULL) PRINT ''' + c.name + ''''
FROM sys.objects o
JOIN sys.columns c ON o.[object_id] = c.[object_id]
WHERE o.[type] = 'U'
AND o.[object_id] = OBJECT_ID(@table)
AND c.is_nullable = 1
EXEC(@sql)
You can do:
select
count(<columnName>)
from
<tableName>
If the count returns 0 that means that all rows in that column all NULL (or there is no rows at all in the table)
can be changed to
select
case(count(<columnName>)) when 0 then 'Nulls Only' else 'Some Values' end
from
<tableName>
If you want to automate it you can use system tables to iterate the column names in the table you are interested in
If you need to list all rows where all the column values are NULL, then i'd use the COLLATE function. This takes a list of values and returns the first non-null value. If you add all the column names to the list, then use IS NULL, you should get all the rows containing only nulls.
SELECT * FROM MyTable WHERE COLLATE(Col1, Col2, Col3, Col4......) IS NULL
You shouldn't really have any tables with ALL the columns null, as this means you don't have a primary key (not allowed to be null). Not having a primary key is something to be avoided; this breaks the first normal form.
SELECT t.column_name
FROM user_tab_columns t
WHERE t.nullable = 'Y' AND t.table_name = 'table name here' AND t.num_distinct = 0;
I would also recommend to search for fields which all have the same value, not just NULL.
That is, for each column in each table do the query:
SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT field) FROM tableName
and concentrate on those which return 1 as a result.
If you need to list all rows where all the column values are NULL, then i'd use the COLLATE function. This takes a list of values and returns the first non-null value. If you add all the column names to the list, then use IS NULL, you should get all the rows containing only nulls.
SELECT * FROM MyTable WHERE COLLATE(Col1, Col2, Col3, Col4......) IS NULL
You shouldn't really have any tables with ALL the columns null, as this means you don't have a primary key (not allowed to be null). Not having a primary key is something to be avoided; this breaks the first normal form.
You might need to clarify a bit. What are you really trying to accomplish? If you really want to find out the column names that only contain null values, then you will have to loop through the scheama and do a dynamic query based on that.
I don't know which DBMS you are using, so I'll put some pseudo-code here.
for each col
begin
@cmd = 'if not exists (select * from tablename where ' + col + ' is not null begin print ' + col + ' end'
exec(@cmd)
end
Here is an updated version of Bryan's query for 2008 and later. It uses INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS, adds variables for the table schema and table name. The column data type was added to the output. Including the column data type helps when looking for a column of a particular data type. I didn't added the column widths or anything.
For output the RAISERROR ... WITH NOWAIT is used so text will display immediately instead of all at once (for the most part) at the end like PRINT does.
SET NOCOUNT ON;
DECLARE
@ColumnName sysname
,@DataType nvarchar(128)
,@cmd nvarchar(max)
,@TableSchema nvarchar(128) = 'dbo'
,@TableName sysname = 'TableName';
DECLARE getinfo CURSOR FOR
SELECT
c.COLUMN_NAME
,c.DATA_TYPE
FROM
INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS AS c
WHERE
c.TABLE_SCHEMA = @TableSchema
AND c.TABLE_NAME = @TableName;
OPEN getinfo;
FETCH NEXT FROM getinfo INTO @ColumnName, @DataType;
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
SET @cmd = N'IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM ' + @TableSchema + N'.' + @TableName + N' WHERE [' + @ColumnName + N'] IS NOT NULL) RAISERROR(''' + @ColumnName + N' (' + @DataType + N')'', 0, 0) WITH NOWAIT;';
EXECUTE (@cmd);
FETCH NEXT FROM getinfo INTO @ColumnName, @DataType;
END;
CLOSE getinfo;
DEALLOCATE getinfo;
You might need to clarify a bit. What are you really trying to accomplish? If you really want to find out the column names that only contain null values, then you will have to loop through the scheama and do a dynamic query based on that.
I don't know which DBMS you are using, so I'll put some pseudo-code here.
for each col
begin
@cmd = 'if not exists (select * from tablename where ' + col + ' is not null begin print ' + col + ' end'
exec(@cmd)
end
Or did you want to just see if a column only has NULL values (and, thus, is probably unused)?
Further clarification of the question might help.
EDIT: Ok.. here's some really rough code to get you going...
SET NOCOUNT ON
DECLARE @TableName Varchar(100)
SET @TableName='YourTableName'
CREATE TABLE #NullColumns (ColumnName Varchar(100), OnlyNulls BIT)
INSERT INTO #NullColumns (ColumnName, OnlyNulls) SELECT c.name, 0 FROM syscolumns c INNER JOIN sysobjects o ON c.id = o.id AND o.name = @TableName AND o.xtype = 'U'
DECLARE @DynamicSQL AS Nvarchar(2000)
DECLARE @ColumnName Varchar(100)
DECLARE @RC INT
SELECT TOP 1 @ColumnName = ColumnName FROM #NullColumns WHERE OnlyNulls=0
WHILE @@ROWCOUNT > 0
BEGIN
SET @RC=0
SET @DynamicSQL = 'SELECT TOP 1 1 As HasNonNulls FROM ' + @TableName + ' (nolock) WHERE ''' + @ColumnName + ''' IS NOT NULL'
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
set @RC=@@rowcount
IF @RC=1
BEGIN
SET @DynamicSQL = 'UPDATE #NullColumns SET OnlyNulls=1 WHERE ColumnName=''' + @ColumnName + ''''
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
END
ELSE
BEGIN
SET @DynamicSQL = 'DELETE FROM #NullColumns WHERE ColumnName=''' + @ColumnName+ ''''
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
END
SELECT TOP 1 @ColumnName = ColumnName FROM #NullColumns WHERE OnlyNulls=0
END
SELECT * FROM #NullColumns
DROP TABLE #NullColumns
SET NOCOUNT OFF
Yes, there are easier ways, but I have a meeting to go to right now. Good luck!
An updated version of 'user2466387' version, with an additional small test which can improve performance, because it's useless to test non nullable columns:
AND IS_NULLABLE = 'YES'
The full code:
SET NOCOUNT ON;
DECLARE
@ColumnName sysname
,@DataType nvarchar(128)
,@cmd nvarchar(max)
,@TableSchema nvarchar(128) = 'dbo'
,@TableName sysname = 'TableName';
DECLARE getinfo CURSOR FOR
SELECT
c.COLUMN_NAME
,c.DATA_TYPE
FROM
INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS AS c
WHERE
c.TABLE_SCHEMA = @TableSchema
AND c.TABLE_NAME = @TableName
AND IS_NULLABLE = 'YES';
OPEN getinfo;
FETCH NEXT FROM getinfo INTO @ColumnName, @DataType;
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
SET @cmd = N'IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM ' + @TableSchema + N'.' + @TableName + N' WHERE [' + @ColumnName + N'] IS NOT NULL) RAISERROR(''' + @ColumnName + N' (' + @DataType + N')'', 0, 0) WITH NOWAIT;';
EXECUTE (@cmd);
FETCH NEXT FROM getinfo INTO @ColumnName, @DataType;
END;
CLOSE getinfo;
DEALLOCATE getinfo;
SELECT cols
FROM table
WHERE cols IS NULL
Or did you want to just see if a column only has NULL values (and, thus, is probably unused)?
Further clarification of the question might help.
EDIT: Ok.. here's some really rough code to get you going...
SET NOCOUNT ON
DECLARE @TableName Varchar(100)
SET @TableName='YourTableName'
CREATE TABLE #NullColumns (ColumnName Varchar(100), OnlyNulls BIT)
INSERT INTO #NullColumns (ColumnName, OnlyNulls) SELECT c.name, 0 FROM syscolumns c INNER JOIN sysobjects o ON c.id = o.id AND o.name = @TableName AND o.xtype = 'U'
DECLARE @DynamicSQL AS Nvarchar(2000)
DECLARE @ColumnName Varchar(100)
DECLARE @RC INT
SELECT TOP 1 @ColumnName = ColumnName FROM #NullColumns WHERE OnlyNulls=0
WHILE @@ROWCOUNT > 0
BEGIN
SET @RC=0
SET @DynamicSQL = 'SELECT TOP 1 1 As HasNonNulls FROM ' + @TableName + ' (nolock) WHERE ''' + @ColumnName + ''' IS NOT NULL'
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
set @RC=@@rowcount
IF @RC=1
BEGIN
SET @DynamicSQL = 'UPDATE #NullColumns SET OnlyNulls=1 WHERE ColumnName=''' + @ColumnName + ''''
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
END
ELSE
BEGIN
SET @DynamicSQL = 'DELETE FROM #NullColumns WHERE ColumnName=''' + @ColumnName+ ''''
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
END
SELECT TOP 1 @ColumnName = ColumnName FROM #NullColumns WHERE OnlyNulls=0
END
SELECT * FROM #NullColumns
DROP TABLE #NullColumns
SET NOCOUNT OFF
Yes, there are easier ways, but I have a meeting to go to right now. Good luck!
You might need to clarify a bit. What are you really trying to accomplish? If you really want to find out the column names that only contain null values, then you will have to loop through the scheama and do a dynamic query based on that.
I don't know which DBMS you are using, so I'll put some pseudo-code here.
for each col
begin
@cmd = 'if not exists (select * from tablename where ' + col + ' is not null begin print ' + col + ' end'
exec(@cmd)
end
You can do:
select
count(<columnName>)
from
<tableName>
If the count returns 0 that means that all rows in that column all NULL (or there is no rows at all in the table)
can be changed to
select
case(count(<columnName>)) when 0 then 'Nulls Only' else 'Some Values' end
from
<tableName>
If you want to automate it you can use system tables to iterate the column names in the table you are interested in
This should give you a list of all columns in the table "Person" that has only NULL-values. You will get the results as multiple result-sets, which are either empty or contains the name of a single column. You need to replace "Person" in two places to use it with another table.
DECLARE crs CURSOR LOCAL FAST_FORWARD FOR SELECT name FROM syscolumns WHERE id=OBJECT_ID('Person')
OPEN crs
DECLARE @name sysname
FETCH NEXT FROM crs INTO @name
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
EXEC('SELECT ''' + @name + ''' WHERE NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM Person WHERE ' + @name + ' IS NOT NULL)')
FETCH NEXT FROM crs INTO @name
END
CLOSE crs
DEALLOCATE crs
I would also recommend to search for fields which all have the same value, not just NULL.
That is, for each column in each table do the query:
SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT field) FROM tableName
and concentrate on those which return 1 as a result.
SELECT cols
FROM table
WHERE cols IS NULL
Try this -
DECLARE @table VARCHAR(100) = 'dbo.table'
DECLARE @sql NVARCHAR(MAX) = ''
SELECT @sql = @sql + 'IF NOT EXISTS(SELECT 1 FROM ' + @table + ' WHERE ' + c.name + ' IS NOT NULL) PRINT ''' + c.name + ''''
FROM sys.objects o
JOIN sys.columns c ON o.[object_id] = c.[object_id]
WHERE o.[type] = 'U'
AND o.[object_id] = OBJECT_ID(@table)
AND c.is_nullable = 1
EXEC(@sql)
I would also recommend to search for fields which all have the same value, not just NULL.
That is, for each column in each table do the query:
SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT field) FROM tableName
and concentrate on those which return 1 as a result.
You can do:
select
count(<columnName>)
from
<tableName>
If the count returns 0 that means that all rows in that column all NULL (or there is no rows at all in the table)
can be changed to
select
case(count(<columnName>)) when 0 then 'Nulls Only' else 'Some Values' end
from
<tableName>
If you want to automate it you can use system tables to iterate the column names in the table you are interested in
If you need to list all rows where all the column values are NULL, then i'd use the COLLATE function. This takes a list of values and returns the first non-null value. If you add all the column names to the list, then use IS NULL, you should get all the rows containing only nulls.
SELECT * FROM MyTable WHERE COLLATE(Col1, Col2, Col3, Col4......) IS NULL
You shouldn't really have any tables with ALL the columns null, as this means you don't have a primary key (not allowed to be null). Not having a primary key is something to be avoided; this breaks the first normal form.
SELECT t.column_name
FROM user_tab_columns t
WHERE t.nullable = 'Y' AND t.table_name = 'table name here' AND t.num_distinct = 0;
This should give you a list of all columns in the table "Person" that has only NULL-values. You will get the results as multiple result-sets, which are either empty or contains the name of a single column. You need to replace "Person" in two places to use it with another table.
DECLARE crs CURSOR LOCAL FAST_FORWARD FOR SELECT name FROM syscolumns WHERE id=OBJECT_ID('Person')
OPEN crs
DECLARE @name sysname
FETCH NEXT FROM crs INTO @name
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
EXEC('SELECT ''' + @name + ''' WHERE NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM Person WHERE ' + @name + ' IS NOT NULL)')
FETCH NEXT FROM crs INTO @name
END
CLOSE crs
DEALLOCATE crs
SELECT cols
FROM table
WHERE cols IS NULL
You'll have to loop over the set of columns and check each one. You should be able to get a list of all columns with a DESCRIBE table command.
Pseudo-code:
foreach $column ($cols) {
query("SELECT count(*) FROM table WHERE $column IS NOT NULL")
if($result is zero) {
# $column contains only null values"
push @onlyNullColumns, $column;
} else {
# $column contains non-null values
}
}
return @onlyNullColumns;
I know this seems a little counterintuitive but SQL does not provide a native method of selecting columns, only rows.
Here I have created a script for any kind of SQL table. please copy this stored procedure and create this on your Environment and run this stored procedure with your Table.
exec [dbo].[SP_RemoveNullValues] 'Your_Table_Name'
stored procedure
GO
/****** Object: StoredProcedure [dbo].[SP_RemoveNullValues] Script Date: 09/09/2019 11:26:53 AM ******/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO
SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO
-- akila liyanaarachchi
Create procedure [dbo].[SP_RemoveNullValues](@PTableName Varchar(50) ) as
begin
DECLARE Cussor CURSOR FOR
SELECT COLUMN_NAME,TABLE_NAME,DATA_TYPE
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE TABLE_NAME = @PTableName
OPEN Cussor;
Declare @ColumnName Varchar(50)
Declare @TableName Varchar(50)
Declare @DataType Varchar(50)
Declare @Flage int
FETCH NEXT FROM Cussor INTO @ColumnName,@TableName,@DataType
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
set @Flage=0
If(@DataType in('bigint','numeric','bit','smallint','decimal','smallmoney','int','tinyint','money','float','real'))
begin
set @Flage=1
end
If(@DataType in('date','atetimeoffset','datetime2','smalldatetime','datetime','time'))
begin
set @Flage=2
end
If(@DataType in('char','varchar','text','nchar','nvarchar','ntext'))
begin
set @Flage=3
end
If(@DataType in('binary','varbinary'))
begin
set @Flage=4
end
DECLARE @SQL VARCHAR(MAX)
if (@Flage in(1,4))
begin
SET @SQL =' update ['+@TableName+'] set ['+@ColumnName+']=0 where ['+@ColumnName+'] is null'
end
if (@Flage =3)
begin
SET @SQL =' update ['+@TableName+'] set ['+@ColumnName+'] = '''' where ['+@ColumnName+'] is null '
end
if (@Flage =2)
begin
SET @SQL =' update ['+@TableName+'] set ['+@ColumnName+'] ='+'''1901-01-01 00:00:00.000'''+' where ['+@ColumnName+'] is null '
end
EXEC(@SQL)
FETCH NEXT FROM Cussor INTO @ColumnName,@TableName,@DataType
END
CLOSE Cussor
DEALLOCATE Cussor
END
Or did you want to just see if a column only has NULL values (and, thus, is probably unused)?
Further clarification of the question might help.
EDIT: Ok.. here's some really rough code to get you going...
SET NOCOUNT ON
DECLARE @TableName Varchar(100)
SET @TableName='YourTableName'
CREATE TABLE #NullColumns (ColumnName Varchar(100), OnlyNulls BIT)
INSERT INTO #NullColumns (ColumnName, OnlyNulls) SELECT c.name, 0 FROM syscolumns c INNER JOIN sysobjects o ON c.id = o.id AND o.name = @TableName AND o.xtype = 'U'
DECLARE @DynamicSQL AS Nvarchar(2000)
DECLARE @ColumnName Varchar(100)
DECLARE @RC INT
SELECT TOP 1 @ColumnName = ColumnName FROM #NullColumns WHERE OnlyNulls=0
WHILE @@ROWCOUNT > 0
BEGIN
SET @RC=0
SET @DynamicSQL = 'SELECT TOP 1 1 As HasNonNulls FROM ' + @TableName + ' (nolock) WHERE ''' + @ColumnName + ''' IS NOT NULL'
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
set @RC=@@rowcount
IF @RC=1
BEGIN
SET @DynamicSQL = 'UPDATE #NullColumns SET OnlyNulls=1 WHERE ColumnName=''' + @ColumnName + ''''
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
END
ELSE
BEGIN
SET @DynamicSQL = 'DELETE FROM #NullColumns WHERE ColumnName=''' + @ColumnName+ ''''
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
END
SELECT TOP 1 @ColumnName = ColumnName FROM #NullColumns WHERE OnlyNulls=0
END
SELECT * FROM #NullColumns
DROP TABLE #NullColumns
SET NOCOUNT OFF
Yes, there are easier ways, but I have a meeting to go to right now. Good luck!
I would also recommend to search for fields which all have the same value, not just NULL.
That is, for each column in each table do the query:
SELECT COUNT(DISTINCT field) FROM tableName
and concentrate on those which return 1 as a result.
SELECT cols
FROM table
WHERE cols IS NULL
You'll have to loop over the set of columns and check each one. You should be able to get a list of all columns with a DESCRIBE table command.
Pseudo-code:
foreach $column ($cols) {
query("SELECT count(*) FROM table WHERE $column IS NOT NULL")
if($result is zero) {
# $column contains only null values"
push @onlyNullColumns, $column;
} else {
# $column contains non-null values
}
}
return @onlyNullColumns;
I know this seems a little counterintuitive but SQL does not provide a native method of selecting columns, only rows.
This should give you a list of all columns in the table "Person" that has only NULL-values. You will get the results as multiple result-sets, which are either empty or contains the name of a single column. You need to replace "Person" in two places to use it with another table.
DECLARE crs CURSOR LOCAL FAST_FORWARD FOR SELECT name FROM syscolumns WHERE id=OBJECT_ID('Person')
OPEN crs
DECLARE @name sysname
FETCH NEXT FROM crs INTO @name
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
EXEC('SELECT ''' + @name + ''' WHERE NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM Person WHERE ' + @name + ' IS NOT NULL)')
FETCH NEXT FROM crs INTO @name
END
CLOSE crs
DEALLOCATE crs
You'll have to loop over the set of columns and check each one. You should be able to get a list of all columns with a DESCRIBE table command.
Pseudo-code:
foreach $column ($cols) {
query("SELECT count(*) FROM table WHERE $column IS NOT NULL")
if($result is zero) {
# $column contains only null values"
push @onlyNullColumns, $column;
} else {
# $column contains non-null values
}
}
return @onlyNullColumns;
I know this seems a little counterintuitive but SQL does not provide a native method of selecting columns, only rows.
Or did you want to just see if a column only has NULL values (and, thus, is probably unused)?
Further clarification of the question might help.
EDIT: Ok.. here's some really rough code to get you going...
SET NOCOUNT ON
DECLARE @TableName Varchar(100)
SET @TableName='YourTableName'
CREATE TABLE #NullColumns (ColumnName Varchar(100), OnlyNulls BIT)
INSERT INTO #NullColumns (ColumnName, OnlyNulls) SELECT c.name, 0 FROM syscolumns c INNER JOIN sysobjects o ON c.id = o.id AND o.name = @TableName AND o.xtype = 'U'
DECLARE @DynamicSQL AS Nvarchar(2000)
DECLARE @ColumnName Varchar(100)
DECLARE @RC INT
SELECT TOP 1 @ColumnName = ColumnName FROM #NullColumns WHERE OnlyNulls=0
WHILE @@ROWCOUNT > 0
BEGIN
SET @RC=0
SET @DynamicSQL = 'SELECT TOP 1 1 As HasNonNulls FROM ' + @TableName + ' (nolock) WHERE ''' + @ColumnName + ''' IS NOT NULL'
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
set @RC=@@rowcount
IF @RC=1
BEGIN
SET @DynamicSQL = 'UPDATE #NullColumns SET OnlyNulls=1 WHERE ColumnName=''' + @ColumnName + ''''
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
END
ELSE
BEGIN
SET @DynamicSQL = 'DELETE FROM #NullColumns WHERE ColumnName=''' + @ColumnName+ ''''
EXEC sp_executesql @DynamicSQL
END
SELECT TOP 1 @ColumnName = ColumnName FROM #NullColumns WHERE OnlyNulls=0
END
SELECT * FROM #NullColumns
DROP TABLE #NullColumns
SET NOCOUNT OFF
Yes, there are easier ways, but I have a meeting to go to right now. Good luck!
Not actually sure about 2005, but 2008 ate it:
USE [DATABASE_NAME] -- !
GO
DECLARE @SQL NVARCHAR(MAX)
DECLARE @TableName VARCHAR(255)
SET @TableName = 'TABLE_NAME' -- !
SELECT @SQL =
(
SELECT
CHAR(10)
+'DELETE FROM ['+t1.TABLE_CATALOG+'].['+t1.TABLE_SCHEMA+'].['+t1.TABLE_NAME+'] WHERE '
+(
SELECT
CASE t2.ORDINAL_POSITION
WHEN (SELECT MIN(t3.ORDINAL_POSITION) FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS t3 WHERE t3.TABLE_NAME=t2.TABLE_NAME) THEN ''
ELSE 'AND '
END
+'['+COLUMN_NAME+'] IS NULL' AS 'data()'
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS t2 WHERE t2.TABLE_NAME=t1.TABLE_NAME FOR XML PATH('')
) AS 'data()'
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES t1 WHERE t1.TABLE_NAME = @TableName FOR XML PATH('')
)
SELECT @SQL -- EXEC(@SQL)
You might need to clarify a bit. What are you really trying to accomplish? If you really want to find out the column names that only contain null values, then you will have to loop through the scheama and do a dynamic query based on that.
I don't know which DBMS you are using, so I'll put some pseudo-code here.
for each col
begin
@cmd = 'if not exists (select * from tablename where ' + col + ' is not null begin print ' + col + ' end'
exec(@cmd)
end
This should give you a list of all columns in the table "Person" that has only NULL-values. You will get the results as multiple result-sets, which are either empty or contains the name of a single column. You need to replace "Person" in two places to use it with another table.
DECLARE crs CURSOR LOCAL FAST_FORWARD FOR SELECT name FROM syscolumns WHERE id=OBJECT_ID('Person')
OPEN crs
DECLARE @name sysname
FETCH NEXT FROM crs INTO @name
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
EXEC('SELECT ''' + @name + ''' WHERE NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM Person WHERE ' + @name + ' IS NOT NULL)')
FETCH NEXT FROM crs INTO @name
END
CLOSE crs
DEALLOCATE crs
Here I have created a script for any kind of SQL table. please copy this stored procedure and create this on your Environment and run this stored procedure with your Table.
exec [dbo].[SP_RemoveNullValues] 'Your_Table_Name'
stored procedure
GO
/****** Object: StoredProcedure [dbo].[SP_RemoveNullValues] Script Date: 09/09/2019 11:26:53 AM ******/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO
SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO
-- akila liyanaarachchi
Create procedure [dbo].[SP_RemoveNullValues](@PTableName Varchar(50) ) as
begin
DECLARE Cussor CURSOR FOR
SELECT COLUMN_NAME,TABLE_NAME,DATA_TYPE
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS
WHERE TABLE_NAME = @PTableName
OPEN Cussor;
Declare @ColumnName Varchar(50)
Declare @TableName Varchar(50)
Declare @DataType Varchar(50)
Declare @Flage int
FETCH NEXT FROM Cussor INTO @ColumnName,@TableName,@DataType
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
set @Flage=0
If(@DataType in('bigint','numeric','bit','smallint','decimal','smallmoney','int','tinyint','money','float','real'))
begin
set @Flage=1
end
If(@DataType in('date','atetimeoffset','datetime2','smalldatetime','datetime','time'))
begin
set @Flage=2
end
If(@DataType in('char','varchar','text','nchar','nvarchar','ntext'))
begin
set @Flage=3
end
If(@DataType in('binary','varbinary'))
begin
set @Flage=4
end
DECLARE @SQL VARCHAR(MAX)
if (@Flage in(1,4))
begin
SET @SQL =' update ['+@TableName+'] set ['+@ColumnName+']=0 where ['+@ColumnName+'] is null'
end
if (@Flage =3)
begin
SET @SQL =' update ['+@TableName+'] set ['+@ColumnName+'] = '''' where ['+@ColumnName+'] is null '
end
if (@Flage =2)
begin
SET @SQL =' update ['+@TableName+'] set ['+@ColumnName+'] ='+'''1901-01-01 00:00:00.000'''+' where ['+@ColumnName+'] is null '
end
EXEC(@SQL)
FETCH NEXT FROM Cussor INTO @ColumnName,@TableName,@DataType
END
CLOSE Cussor
DEALLOCATE Cussor
END
Not actually sure about 2005, but 2008 ate it:
USE [DATABASE_NAME] -- !
GO
DECLARE @SQL NVARCHAR(MAX)
DECLARE @TableName VARCHAR(255)
SET @TableName = 'TABLE_NAME' -- !
SELECT @SQL =
(
SELECT
CHAR(10)
+'DELETE FROM ['+t1.TABLE_CATALOG+'].['+t1.TABLE_SCHEMA+'].['+t1.TABLE_NAME+'] WHERE '
+(
SELECT
CASE t2.ORDINAL_POSITION
WHEN (SELECT MIN(t3.ORDINAL_POSITION) FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS t3 WHERE t3.TABLE_NAME=t2.TABLE_NAME) THEN ''
ELSE 'AND '
END
+'['+COLUMN_NAME+'] IS NULL' AS 'data()'
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS t2 WHERE t2.TABLE_NAME=t1.TABLE_NAME FOR XML PATH('')
) AS 'data()'
FROM INFORMATION_SCHEMA.TABLES t1 WHERE t1.TABLE_NAME = @TableName FOR XML PATH('')
)
SELECT @SQL -- EXEC(@SQL)
You'll have to loop over the set of columns and check each one. You should be able to get a list of all columns with a DESCRIBE table command.
Pseudo-code:
foreach $column ($cols) {
query("SELECT count(*) FROM table WHERE $column IS NOT NULL")
if($result is zero) {
# $column contains only null values"
push @onlyNullColumns, $column;
} else {
# $column contains non-null values
}
}
return @onlyNullColumns;
I know this seems a little counterintuitive but SQL does not provide a native method of selecting columns, only rows.
An updated version of 'user2466387' version, with an additional small test which can improve performance, because it's useless to test non nullable columns:
AND IS_NULLABLE = 'YES'
The full code:
SET NOCOUNT ON;
DECLARE
@ColumnName sysname
,@DataType nvarchar(128)
,@cmd nvarchar(max)
,@TableSchema nvarchar(128) = 'dbo'
,@TableName sysname = 'TableName';
DECLARE getinfo CURSOR FOR
SELECT
c.COLUMN_NAME
,c.DATA_TYPE
FROM
INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS AS c
WHERE
c.TABLE_SCHEMA = @TableSchema
AND c.TABLE_NAME = @TableName
AND IS_NULLABLE = 'YES';
OPEN getinfo;
FETCH NEXT FROM getinfo INTO @ColumnName, @DataType;
WHILE @@FETCH_STATUS = 0
BEGIN
SET @cmd = N'IF NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM ' + @TableSchema + N'.' + @TableName + N' WHERE [' + @ColumnName + N'] IS NOT NULL) RAISERROR(''' + @ColumnName + N' (' + @DataType + N')'', 0, 0) WITH NOWAIT;';
EXECUTE (@cmd);
FETCH NEXT FROM getinfo INTO @ColumnName, @DataType;
END;
CLOSE getinfo;
DEALLOCATE getinfo;
Source: Stackoverflow.com