SQL Pivot Explained with Practical Example

What is SQL Pivoting?

• SQL Pivoting means converting rows into columns.
  It is mainly used to create summary reports.

• Instead of showing data in multiple rows, pivot shows it in a tabular format with columns.

Pivoting Example Table (Sales Data)

Step 1: Create a Table

CREATE TABLE Sales (

Employee VARCHAR(50),
Month VARCHAR(20),
SalesAmount INT

);

Step 2: Insert Data

INSERT INTO Sales VALUES

('John', 'Jan', 100),
('John', 'Feb', 150),
('John', 'Mar', 200),
('Mary', 'Jan', 120),
('Mary', 'Feb', 180),
('Mary', 'Mar', 250);

Step 3: Select Sales Data

SELECT * FROM Sales;

Step 4: SQL PIVOT Syntax (SQL Server)

SELECT * FROM
(
    SELECT Employee, [Month], SalesAmount FROM Sales
) AS SourceTable
PIVOT
(
    SUM(SalesAmount) FOR Month IN ([Jan], [Feb], [Mar])
) AS PivotTable;