ORDER BY in SQL Server - Examples & AI Generator

Sorting query results with ORDER BY in SQL Server can be straightforward, but remembering exact syntax or handling complex multi-column ordering across various databases adds friction—especially under deadlines. AI2sql offers instant, no-coding ORDER BY solutions: turn natural language into production-ready SQL in seconds, reducing errors and mental overhead. Join 50,000+ users across 80+ countries who eliminate manual SQL ordering drudgery—optimize your workflow in under 10 seconds.

ORDER BY Syntax in SQL Server

Standard Usage

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

• ASC: Ascending order (default)

• DESC: Descending order

• You can sort by multiple columns

Differences in SQL Server

• Aliases, expressions (e.g. ORDER BY LEN(Name)) are fully supported

• TOP and OFFSET-FETCH integrate directly with ORDER BY

ORDER BY Examples You Can Generate Instantly

1. Sort Customers Alphabetically

SELECT CustomerID, Name, City
FROM Customers
ORDER BY Name ASC;

Business context: List all customers sorted from A to Z by name.

2. Show Latest Orders First

SELECT OrderID, CustomerID, OrderDate
FROM Orders
ORDER BY OrderDate DESC;

Business context: Display recent orders at the top for review or reporting.

3. Rank Products by Price, Then Name

SELECT ProductID, ProductName, Price
FROM Products
ORDER BY Price DESC, ProductName ASC;

Business context: See highest-priced products first; resolve ties alphabetically.

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Why Use AI2sql Instead of Manual ORDER BY Coding

• No coding required: Describe your sort logic in natural language

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• SQL Server‑specific patterns: Avoid cross-database ORDER BY errors

• Complex sorting supported: Multi-level, expressions, aliases—one-click

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FAQ: ORDER BY in SQL Server

1. Can I use ORDER BY with expressions?

Yes, SQL Server supports expressions and functions in ORDER BY, such as ORDER BY LEN(Name).

2. What happens if I omit ASC or DESC?

SQL Server defaults to ASC (ascending order) if neither is specified.

3. How do I limit results and sort at the same time?

Combine ORDER BY with TOP (e.g., SELECT TOP 10 ... ORDER BY ...) or use OFFSET-FETCH for pagination.

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