How to convert multiple values in the row with comma separator into multiple columns? - sql

Question

How to convert multiple comma separated values in rows into multiple columns in SQL Server like I have a table with two rows
A1,1,B1,2
C1,3,D4,4
I want output like this
col1 col2 col3 col4
A1 1 B1 2
C1 3 D4 4

Answer 1

Another option if you have a finite or max number of columns
Example
Declare #YourTable Table ([YourCol] varchar(50))
Insert Into #YourTable Values
('A1,1,B1,2')
,('C1,3,D4,4')
Select B.*
From #YourTable A
Cross Apply (
Select Pos1 = ltrim(rtrim(xDim.value('/x[1]','varchar(max)')))
,Pos2 = ltrim(rtrim(xDim.value('/x[2]','varchar(max)')))
,Pos3 = ltrim(rtrim(xDim.value('/x[3]','varchar(max)')))
,Pos4 = ltrim(rtrim(xDim.value('/x[4]','varchar(max)')))
,Pos5 = ltrim(rtrim(xDim.value('/x[5]','varchar(max)')))
,Pos6 = ltrim(rtrim(xDim.value('/x[6]','varchar(max)')))
From (Select Cast('<x>' + replace((Select replace(A.YourCol,',','§§Split§§') as [*] For XML Path('')),'§§Split§§','</x><x>')+'</x>' as xml) as xDim) as x
) B
Returns
Pos1 Pos2 Pos3 Pos4 Pos5 Pos6
A1 1 B1 2 NULL NULL
C1 3 D4 4 NULL NULL
EDIT - Just for Fun, Here is a Dynamic Version of the Above
Just replace YourTable with your actual table name, and YourCol with the desired column to split.
Declare #SQL nvarchar(max)
Set #SQL = Stuff((Select concat(',Col',N,' = ltrim(rtrim(xDim.value(''/x[',N,']'',''varchar(max)'')))')
From (
Select Top ((Select max(len(YourCol)-len(replace(YourCol,',','')))+1 From YourTable))
N=Row_Number() Over (Order By (Select NULL))
From master..spt_values
) A
For XML Path ('')),1,1,'')
Set #SQL = '
Select A.*,B.*
From YourTable A
Cross Apply ( Select ' + #SQL +' From (Select Cast(''<x>'' + replace((Select replace(A.YourCol,'','',''§§Split§§'') as [*] For XML Path('''')),''§§Split§§'',''</x><x>'')+''</x>'' as xml) as xDim ) x ) B
'
--Print #SQL
Exec(#SQL)
Returns
YourCol Col1 Col2 Col3 Col4
A1,1,B1,2 A1 1 B1 2
C1,3,D4,4 C1 3 D4 4

Answer 2

Assuming your table name is t, you can follow the steps below
Step 1: Split the columns using the CSV tally type splitter
Step 2: PIVOT out the values
In a single query the solution will be
select * from
(
select
t.col as col,
row_number() over (partition by t.col order by t1.N asc) as row_num,
SUBSTRING( t.col, t1.N, ISNULL(NULLIF(CHARINDEX(',',t.col,t1.N),0)-t1.N,4000)) as split_values
from t
join
(
select
t.col,
1 as N
from t
UNION ALL
select
t.col,
t1.N + 1 as N
from t
join
(
select
top 4000
row_number() over(order by (select NULL)) as N
from
sys.objects s1
cross join
sys.objects s2
) t1
on SUBSTRING(t.col,t1.N,1) = ','
) t1
on t1.col=t.col
)src
PIVOT
( max(split_values) for row_num in ([1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8]))p
working demo
PS: You can actually use a dynamic pivot if you do not know the maximum commas in the columns.