SQL Trim Function

The TRIM function in SQL is used to remove specified prefix or suffix from a string. The most common pattern being removed is white spaces. This function is called differently in different databases:

• MySQL: TRIM( ), RTRIM( ), LTRIM( )
• Oracle: RTRIM( ), LTRIM( )
• SQL Server: RTRIM( ), LTRIM( )

The syntax for these trim functions are:

TRIM([[LOCATION] [remstr] FROM ] str): [LOCATION] can be either LEADING, TRAILING, or BOTH. This function gets rid of the [remstr] pattern from either the beginning of the string or the end of the string, or both. If no [remstr] is specified, white spaces are removed.

LTRIM(str): Removes all white spaces from the beginning of the string.

RTRIM(str): Removes all white spaces at the end of the string.

Example 1:

SELECT TRIM('   Sample   ');

Result:

'Sample'

Example 2:

SELECT LTRIM('   Sample   ');

Result:

'Sample   '

Example 3:

SELECT RTRIM('   Sample   ');

Result:

'   Sample'