SQL TRIM Function Use and Examples

Overview

The TRIM function is used to remove trailing and leading spaces (char(32)) from a string of characters. This was introduced with SQL Server 2017.

Explanation

Syntax

TRIM(expression)

Parameters

• expression – the string to remove leading and trailing spaces.

Simple TRIM Example

The following example will TRIM the leading and trailing spaces.

SELECT TRIM('    What a   wonderful   world   ') as msg

TRIM Example Using Table Column

The following example shows how to remove trailing and leading spaces from a table column.

SELECT TRIM(AddressLine1) as addressline
FROM [Person].[Address]

Example with TRIM and CONCAT Functions

The following example shows how to use TRIM with CONCAT to trim leading and trailing spaces and then concatenate the values.

DECLARE @string1 varchar(30) = '  this is the first message   '
 
DECLARE @string2 varchar(30) = '  this is the second message  '
 
SELECT CONCAT(TRIM(@string1), ' ', TRIM(@string2)) as example

Additional Information

• SQL ASCII
• SQL CHAR
• SQL CONCAT
• SQL LTRIM
• SQL RTRIM

Daniel Calbimonte

Daniel Calbimonte is a Microsoft Most Valuable Professional, Microsoft Certified Trainer and Microsoft Certified IT Professional for SQL Server. He is an accomplished SSIS author, teacher at IT Academies and has over 10 years of experience as a QE and developer for SQL Server related software. He has worked for the government, oil companies, web sites, magazines and universities around the world. Daniel also regularly speaks at SQL Servers conferences and blogs.

• MSSQLTips Awards: Author of the Year Contender – 2015-2018, 2022, 2023 | Champion (100+ tips) – 2018