ISNULL in Oracle - Examples & AI Generator

While ISNULL is a familiar function for handling NULLs in SQL, Oracle doesn’t natively support the ISNULL function. Instead, Oracle uses NVL() to achieve the same result. Remembering this nuance—especially when switching between SQL dialects—can slow down your workflow. With AI2sql, you can skip syntax memorization and instantly generate Oracle-ready alternatives—no coding required. Join 50,000+ users across 80+ countries and let AI handle your query transformations.

ISNULL Syntax in Oracle

Oracle Equivalent: NVL Function

The direct Oracle replacement for ISNULL is NVL(expr1, expr2). This function returns expr2 if expr1 is NULL; otherwise, it returns expr1.

• Standard ISNULL (other SQL): ISNULL(expression, replacement)

• Oracle Syntax: NVL(expression, replacement)

ISNULL Examples You Can Generate Instantly

Replace NULL Customer Emails with Placeholder

SELECT NVL(email, 'noemail@example.com') AS contact_email
FROM customers;

Show Completed Order Quantities, Fallback to 0

SELECT order_id, NVL(completed_quantity, 0) AS completed_quantity
FROM orders;

Product Discount: Show 0 If Discount Is Missing

SELECT product_id, NVL(discount, 0) AS discount_applied
FROM products;

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FAQ: ISNULL in Oracle

Does Oracle SQL support the ISNULL function?

No. Oracle uses NVL() instead of ISNULL for handling NULLs in queries.

How is ISNULL in SQL Server different from Oracle?

SQL Server uses ISNULL(), while Oracle requires NVL(). The function signature is otherwise similar.

Can I use COALESCE instead of NVL in Oracle?

Yes, COALESCE() is also supported in Oracle and allows for multiple fallback values, but NVL() is the direct ISNULL replacement.

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