SQL IN

Published Jun 11, 2021Updated Aug 18, 2022

The IN operator allows the user to specify multiple values in the WHERE clause.

Syntax

The IN operator is similar to multiple OR conditions:

SELECT column_name(s)
FROM table_name
WHERE column_name IN (value1, value2, ...);

Copy to clipboardCopy to clipboard

You can also use another returned result within the parenthesis:

SELECT column_name(s)
FROM table_name
WHERE column_name IN (
  SELECT STATEMENT);

Copy to clipboardCopy to clipboard

The given query will select all records where production_city is equal to 'Los Angeles' or 'New York'.

SELECT production_city
FROM movies
WHERE production_city IN ('Los Angeles', 'New York');

Copy to clipboardCopy to clipboard

To query all fields for records where item_name is equal to 'plunger', 'soap', or 'wipes' in the inventory table:

SELECT *
FROM inventory
WHERE item_name IN ('plunger', 'soap', 'wipes');

Copy to clipboardCopy to clipboard

The following SQL statement selects all customers that are from the same countries as the suppliers:

SELECT *
FROM customers
WHERE country IN (
  SELECT country
  FROM suppliers
);

Copy to clipboardCopy to clipboard