ORDER BY in MySQL - Examples & AI Generator

The ORDER BY clause is a core SQL feature, but remembering the correct syntax—especially in MySQL—can get tricky when switching databases or dealing with multi-column sorts. Manual trial and error wastes time, especially for non-coders. AI2sql removes this hassle by converting your plain-English sorting requests into perfect MySQL ORDER BY queries—no coding required.

ORDER BY Syntax in MySQL

The ORDER BY clause in MySQL sorts results by one or more columns. MySQL syntax lets you specify ascending (ASC, default) or descending (DESC) order:

SELECT column1, column2
FROM table_name
ORDER BY column1 ASC, column2 DESC;

• ASC: Sorts from lowest to highest (default).

• DESC: Sorts from highest to lowest.

• MySQL allows ordering by column position (e.g., ORDER BY 2 DESC).

ORDER BY Examples You Can Generate Instantly

Sort Customers by Last Name (A-Z)

SELECT id, first_name, last_name 
FROM customers 
ORDER BY last_name ASC;

Top 5 Products by Sales Volume

SELECT product_id, product_name, total_sales 
FROM products 
ORDER BY total_sales DESC 
LIMIT 5;

Recent Orders by Date

SELECT order_id, customer_id, order_date 
FROM orders 
ORDER BY order_date DESC;

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Why Use AI2sql Instead of Manual ORDER BY Coding

• No syntax errors: Instantly generate production-ready ORDER BY queries, tailored for MySQL.

• Save time: Transform plain English—like “list products by newest first”—into SQL in seconds.

• Switch databases seamlessly: Don’t waste time relearning differences between MySQL and other SQL dialects.

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FAQ: ORDER BY in MySQL

Can I use ORDER BY with multiple columns in MySQL?

Yes. Separate columns with commas: ORDER BY column1 ASC, column2 DESC.

What’s the default sort direction in MySQL ORDER BY?

Ascending (ASC) is default. Specify DESC for descending order.

Does ORDER BY work with computed columns or expressions?

Yes. You can sort by expressions, calculations, or even column positions (e.g., ORDER BY 1).

Ready to skip manual SQL? Try AI2sql Generator or Learn ORDER BY.

Conclusion: The MySQL ORDER BY clause is essential for organizing results, but memorizing syntax isn’t. With AI2sql, you can generate custom ORDER BY queries instantly—no coding required and no time wasted. Start using AI2sql’s AI SQL generator and sort your data 10x faster. Generate Your First Query Now.