When column entry is "other' then replace with entry from another column-CodePudding

I hope someone can help (this is my first time posting!). Basically I want to do the following: when the entry in column a is 'other' replace with the entry in column b

I have tried numerous things with no success. This was most recent attempt:

select column_a, column_b from [data_table] update set column_a = column_b where column_a = 'other'

Any ideas?

CodePudding user response：

This should work,

And please include the errors, or issues in more detail.

select column_a, column_b from data_table
update data_table
set column_a = column_b
where column_a = 'other' ;

CodePudding user response：

It depends on whether you want to change the data in the database, or you just want the report to reflect the data you want.

Just for SELECT into a report:

SELECT 
  column_a
, CASE column_a
    WHEN 'other' THEN column_b
    ELSE column_a
  END AS column_a
, column_b
FROM data_table
;

To change the data in the database:

UPDATE data_table
SET column_a = column_b
WHERE column_a = 'other'