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Tip: Fetching Random Rows From SQL Server

Recently I needed to fetch random rows from a SQL server table. If you have an integer column then using RAND() function goes well. However in my case there was no number column. In such cases you can use the following query:

SELECT TOP <n> <column list> 
FROM <table> 
WHERE <criteria> 
ORDER BY NEWID()

The key is the use of NEWID() function that returns a GUID. An example query would look something like this:

SELECT TOP 10 * 
FROM Employees
ORDER BY NEWID()

This way is also useful for selecting data for testing purposes.

Posted On :	23 Jul 2008
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About the Author

Bipin Joshi Bipin Joshi is the proprietor of BinaryIntellect Consulting where he conducts premier training programs on .NET technologies. He wears many hats including software consultant, mentor, prolific author, webmaster, Microsoft MVP and member of ASPInsiders. Having adopted Yoga way of life Bipin also teaches Kriya Yoga to the interested individuals. His detailed profile can be read at his blog. He can also be reached there.