SUBSTRING in Snowflake - Examples & AI Generator

Understanding the SUBSTRING function in Snowflake can be confusing, especially if you’re used to different database syntaxes. Snowflake supports flexible string manipulation, but memorizing exact parameters slows you down. AI2sql removes the guesswork—you describe the output you need, and production-ready SUBSTRING queries are generated in 10 seconds, no coding required. This empowers SQL developers, data analysts, and engineers to focus on insights, not syntax.

SUBSTRING Syntax in Snowflake

Basic Syntax Overview

SUBSTRING(string, start_position [, length])
-- or
SUBSTR(string, start_position [, length])

• string: The input text (column or literal)

• start_position: Integer, 1-based index

• length (optional): Characters to return

Note: Unlike some SQL variants (like MySQL), Snowflake’s position is 1-based, not 0-based.

SUBSTRING Examples You Can Generate Instantly

Customer First Name from Full Name

SELECT SUBSTRING(full_name, 1, POSITION(' ' IN full_name) - 1) AS first_name
FROM customers;
-- Extracts the first name up to the first space

Last 4 Digits of Order ID

SELECT SUBSTRING(order_id, -4) AS order_suffix
FROM orders;
-- Grabs the last 4 characters (Snowflake handles negative start positions)

Product Category Prefix

SELECT SUBSTRING(category_code, 1, 3) AS category_prefix
FROM products;
-- Takes the first three characters as a category short code

See more SUBSTRING Snowflake examples or use AI2sql to skip manual adjustments.
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Why Use AI2sql Instead of Manual SUBSTRING Coding

• Instant results: Avoid trial-and-error with Snowflake SUBSTRING syntax—simply describe your need in plain English.

• No coding required: Get production-ready SQL even if you don’t memorize parameter order.

• Supports any logic: Multi-field extractions, dynamic lengths, or custom logic across databases.

• Trusted worldwide: 50,000+ users across 80+ countries rely on AI2sql.

Try AI2sql Generator or Learn SUBSTRING for more insights.

FAQ: SUBSTRING in Snowflake

• Q: Is SUBSTR the same as SUBSTRING in Snowflake?
  A: Yes, both functions are aliases and work identically.

• Q: Can I use negative positions in SUBSTRING?
  A: Yes, use negative start positions to count from the end of the string.

• Q: How is SUBSTRING different from other SQL dialects?
  A: Snowflake’s parameters are 1-based. Double-check parameter order if switching from other platforms.

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