Update all rows where “NULL” as string needs to be updated to a DB NULL









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Is there a way to change all occurrences of a certain value within SQL regardless of column?



I have a table with ~200 columns which was imported from a text file. The NULL values came through as the string value 'NULL' and occur in most columns within the table. Is there a way to convert those values to true NULL values? I would like to avoid using UPDATE on each individual column is possible.










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  • 5




    Fix the file and re-import.
    – jarlh
    Nov 8 at 15:19










  • Tag your question with the database you are using.
    – Gordon Linoff
    Nov 8 at 15:24










  • The files were created through a python script. It's 72 csv files and I haven't been able to import NaN values from python to SQL successfully.
    – Steve Harshman
    Nov 8 at 15:27














up vote
-1
down vote

favorite












Is there a way to change all occurrences of a certain value within SQL regardless of column?



I have a table with ~200 columns which was imported from a text file. The NULL values came through as the string value 'NULL' and occur in most columns within the table. Is there a way to convert those values to true NULL values? I would like to avoid using UPDATE on each individual column is possible.










share|improve this question



















  • 5




    Fix the file and re-import.
    – jarlh
    Nov 8 at 15:19










  • Tag your question with the database you are using.
    – Gordon Linoff
    Nov 8 at 15:24










  • The files were created through a python script. It's 72 csv files and I haven't been able to import NaN values from python to SQL successfully.
    – Steve Harshman
    Nov 8 at 15:27












up vote
-1
down vote

favorite









up vote
-1
down vote

favorite











Is there a way to change all occurrences of a certain value within SQL regardless of column?



I have a table with ~200 columns which was imported from a text file. The NULL values came through as the string value 'NULL' and occur in most columns within the table. Is there a way to convert those values to true NULL values? I would like to avoid using UPDATE on each individual column is possible.










share|improve this question















Is there a way to change all occurrences of a certain value within SQL regardless of column?



I have a table with ~200 columns which was imported from a text file. The NULL values came through as the string value 'NULL' and occur in most columns within the table. Is there a way to convert those values to true NULL values? I would like to avoid using UPDATE on each individual column is possible.







sql sql-server tsql






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edited Nov 8 at 17:45









Joshua Huber

2,6631122




2,6631122










asked Nov 8 at 15:18









Steve Harshman

112




112







  • 5




    Fix the file and re-import.
    – jarlh
    Nov 8 at 15:19










  • Tag your question with the database you are using.
    – Gordon Linoff
    Nov 8 at 15:24










  • The files were created through a python script. It's 72 csv files and I haven't been able to import NaN values from python to SQL successfully.
    – Steve Harshman
    Nov 8 at 15:27












  • 5




    Fix the file and re-import.
    – jarlh
    Nov 8 at 15:19










  • Tag your question with the database you are using.
    – Gordon Linoff
    Nov 8 at 15:24










  • The files were created through a python script. It's 72 csv files and I haven't been able to import NaN values from python to SQL successfully.
    – Steve Harshman
    Nov 8 at 15:27







5




5




Fix the file and re-import.
– jarlh
Nov 8 at 15:19




Fix the file and re-import.
– jarlh
Nov 8 at 15:19












Tag your question with the database you are using.
– Gordon Linoff
Nov 8 at 15:24




Tag your question with the database you are using.
– Gordon Linoff
Nov 8 at 15:24












The files were created through a python script. It's 72 csv files and I haven't been able to import NaN values from python to SQL successfully.
– Steve Harshman
Nov 8 at 15:27




The files were created through a python script. It's 72 csv files and I haven't been able to import NaN values from python to SQL successfully.
– Steve Harshman
Nov 8 at 15:27












4 Answers
4






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
2
down vote













A single update may not be too painful:



update t
set col1 = nullif(col1, 'NULL'),
col2 = nullif(col2, 'NULL'),
. . .;


You can generate the code in SQL or a spreadsheet by querying INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS(or similar) for string columns.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    1
    down vote













    You can use dynamic sql to build out the update script...



    DECLARE @update_sql NVARCHAR(MAX) = N''



    SELECT 
    @update_sql = CONCAT(@update_sql, N',
    mt.', c.name, N' = NULLIF(mt.', c.name, N', ''NULL'')')
    FROM
    sys.columns c
    WHERE
    c.object_id = OBJECT_ID(N'dbo.MyTable')
    AND c.collation_name IS NOT NULL; -- easy way to make sure you're only looking at columns that can hold test data.

    SET @update_sql = CONCAT(N'
    UPDATE mt SET',
    STUFF(@update_sql, 1, 1, ''), N'
    FROM
    dbo.MyTable mt;')

    PRINT(@update_sql);


    You'll end up with output formatted like the following...



    UPDATE mt SET
    mt.column_9 = NULLIF(mt.column_9, 'NULL'),
    mt.column_10 = NULLIF(mt.column_10, 'NULL'),
    mt.column_11 = NULLIF(mt.column_11, 'NULL'),
    mt.column_14 = NULLIF(mt.column_14, 'NULL'),
    ...
    mt.column_165 = NULLIF(mt.column_165, 'NULL'),
    mt.column_166 = NULLIF(mt.column_166, 'NULL'),
    mt.column_167 = NULLIF(mt.column_167, 'NULL'),
    mt.column_168 = NULLIF(mt.column_168, 'NULL')
    FROM
    dbo.MyTable mt;


    Note... The PRINT command is limited to 8000 characters of ASCII and 4000 characters of unicode. So, if you notice that the output script is being truncated, post back, I have a "long print" procedure that get around that limitation.






    share|improve this answer





























      up vote
      0
      down vote













      use the merge statement and set null for all matching rows which is fasters and efficient way to do it.






      share|improve this answer



























        up vote
        0
        down vote













        There is no way to do this without doing an update on each individual column.



        There are shortcuts to writing such an update, like right-click>script as... or dynamic sql, but so far that's not what you've asked.






        share|improve this answer




















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          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

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          4 Answers
          4






          active

          oldest

          votes









          active

          oldest

          votes






          active

          oldest

          votes








          up vote
          2
          down vote













          A single update may not be too painful:



          update t
          set col1 = nullif(col1, 'NULL'),
          col2 = nullif(col2, 'NULL'),
          . . .;


          You can generate the code in SQL or a spreadsheet by querying INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS(or similar) for string columns.






          share|improve this answer
























            up vote
            2
            down vote













            A single update may not be too painful:



            update t
            set col1 = nullif(col1, 'NULL'),
            col2 = nullif(col2, 'NULL'),
            . . .;


            You can generate the code in SQL or a spreadsheet by querying INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS(or similar) for string columns.






            share|improve this answer






















              up vote
              2
              down vote










              up vote
              2
              down vote









              A single update may not be too painful:



              update t
              set col1 = nullif(col1, 'NULL'),
              col2 = nullif(col2, 'NULL'),
              . . .;


              You can generate the code in SQL or a spreadsheet by querying INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS(or similar) for string columns.






              share|improve this answer












              A single update may not be too painful:



              update t
              set col1 = nullif(col1, 'NULL'),
              col2 = nullif(col2, 'NULL'),
              . . .;


              You can generate the code in SQL or a spreadsheet by querying INFORMATION_SCHEMA.COLUMNS(or similar) for string columns.







              share|improve this answer












              share|improve this answer



              share|improve this answer










              answered Nov 8 at 15:24









              Gordon Linoff

              743k32285390




              743k32285390






















                  up vote
                  1
                  down vote













                  You can use dynamic sql to build out the update script...



                  DECLARE @update_sql NVARCHAR(MAX) = N''



                  SELECT 
                  @update_sql = CONCAT(@update_sql, N',
                  mt.', c.name, N' = NULLIF(mt.', c.name, N', ''NULL'')')
                  FROM
                  sys.columns c
                  WHERE
                  c.object_id = OBJECT_ID(N'dbo.MyTable')
                  AND c.collation_name IS NOT NULL; -- easy way to make sure you're only looking at columns that can hold test data.

                  SET @update_sql = CONCAT(N'
                  UPDATE mt SET',
                  STUFF(@update_sql, 1, 1, ''), N'
                  FROM
                  dbo.MyTable mt;')

                  PRINT(@update_sql);


                  You'll end up with output formatted like the following...



                  UPDATE mt SET
                  mt.column_9 = NULLIF(mt.column_9, 'NULL'),
                  mt.column_10 = NULLIF(mt.column_10, 'NULL'),
                  mt.column_11 = NULLIF(mt.column_11, 'NULL'),
                  mt.column_14 = NULLIF(mt.column_14, 'NULL'),
                  ...
                  mt.column_165 = NULLIF(mt.column_165, 'NULL'),
                  mt.column_166 = NULLIF(mt.column_166, 'NULL'),
                  mt.column_167 = NULLIF(mt.column_167, 'NULL'),
                  mt.column_168 = NULLIF(mt.column_168, 'NULL')
                  FROM
                  dbo.MyTable mt;


                  Note... The PRINT command is limited to 8000 characters of ASCII and 4000 characters of unicode. So, if you notice that the output script is being truncated, post back, I have a "long print" procedure that get around that limitation.






                  share|improve this answer


























                    up vote
                    1
                    down vote













                    You can use dynamic sql to build out the update script...



                    DECLARE @update_sql NVARCHAR(MAX) = N''



                    SELECT 
                    @update_sql = CONCAT(@update_sql, N',
                    mt.', c.name, N' = NULLIF(mt.', c.name, N', ''NULL'')')
                    FROM
                    sys.columns c
                    WHERE
                    c.object_id = OBJECT_ID(N'dbo.MyTable')
                    AND c.collation_name IS NOT NULL; -- easy way to make sure you're only looking at columns that can hold test data.

                    SET @update_sql = CONCAT(N'
                    UPDATE mt SET',
                    STUFF(@update_sql, 1, 1, ''), N'
                    FROM
                    dbo.MyTable mt;')

                    PRINT(@update_sql);


                    You'll end up with output formatted like the following...



                    UPDATE mt SET
                    mt.column_9 = NULLIF(mt.column_9, 'NULL'),
                    mt.column_10 = NULLIF(mt.column_10, 'NULL'),
                    mt.column_11 = NULLIF(mt.column_11, 'NULL'),
                    mt.column_14 = NULLIF(mt.column_14, 'NULL'),
                    ...
                    mt.column_165 = NULLIF(mt.column_165, 'NULL'),
                    mt.column_166 = NULLIF(mt.column_166, 'NULL'),
                    mt.column_167 = NULLIF(mt.column_167, 'NULL'),
                    mt.column_168 = NULLIF(mt.column_168, 'NULL')
                    FROM
                    dbo.MyTable mt;


                    Note... The PRINT command is limited to 8000 characters of ASCII and 4000 characters of unicode. So, if you notice that the output script is being truncated, post back, I have a "long print" procedure that get around that limitation.






                    share|improve this answer
























                      up vote
                      1
                      down vote










                      up vote
                      1
                      down vote









                      You can use dynamic sql to build out the update script...



                      DECLARE @update_sql NVARCHAR(MAX) = N''



                      SELECT 
                      @update_sql = CONCAT(@update_sql, N',
                      mt.', c.name, N' = NULLIF(mt.', c.name, N', ''NULL'')')
                      FROM
                      sys.columns c
                      WHERE
                      c.object_id = OBJECT_ID(N'dbo.MyTable')
                      AND c.collation_name IS NOT NULL; -- easy way to make sure you're only looking at columns that can hold test data.

                      SET @update_sql = CONCAT(N'
                      UPDATE mt SET',
                      STUFF(@update_sql, 1, 1, ''), N'
                      FROM
                      dbo.MyTable mt;')

                      PRINT(@update_sql);


                      You'll end up with output formatted like the following...



                      UPDATE mt SET
                      mt.column_9 = NULLIF(mt.column_9, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_10 = NULLIF(mt.column_10, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_11 = NULLIF(mt.column_11, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_14 = NULLIF(mt.column_14, 'NULL'),
                      ...
                      mt.column_165 = NULLIF(mt.column_165, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_166 = NULLIF(mt.column_166, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_167 = NULLIF(mt.column_167, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_168 = NULLIF(mt.column_168, 'NULL')
                      FROM
                      dbo.MyTable mt;


                      Note... The PRINT command is limited to 8000 characters of ASCII and 4000 characters of unicode. So, if you notice that the output script is being truncated, post back, I have a "long print" procedure that get around that limitation.






                      share|improve this answer














                      You can use dynamic sql to build out the update script...



                      DECLARE @update_sql NVARCHAR(MAX) = N''



                      SELECT 
                      @update_sql = CONCAT(@update_sql, N',
                      mt.', c.name, N' = NULLIF(mt.', c.name, N', ''NULL'')')
                      FROM
                      sys.columns c
                      WHERE
                      c.object_id = OBJECT_ID(N'dbo.MyTable')
                      AND c.collation_name IS NOT NULL; -- easy way to make sure you're only looking at columns that can hold test data.

                      SET @update_sql = CONCAT(N'
                      UPDATE mt SET',
                      STUFF(@update_sql, 1, 1, ''), N'
                      FROM
                      dbo.MyTable mt;')

                      PRINT(@update_sql);


                      You'll end up with output formatted like the following...



                      UPDATE mt SET
                      mt.column_9 = NULLIF(mt.column_9, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_10 = NULLIF(mt.column_10, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_11 = NULLIF(mt.column_11, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_14 = NULLIF(mt.column_14, 'NULL'),
                      ...
                      mt.column_165 = NULLIF(mt.column_165, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_166 = NULLIF(mt.column_166, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_167 = NULLIF(mt.column_167, 'NULL'),
                      mt.column_168 = NULLIF(mt.column_168, 'NULL')
                      FROM
                      dbo.MyTable mt;


                      Note... The PRINT command is limited to 8000 characters of ASCII and 4000 characters of unicode. So, if you notice that the output script is being truncated, post back, I have a "long print" procedure that get around that limitation.







                      share|improve this answer














                      share|improve this answer



                      share|improve this answer








                      edited Nov 8 at 17:28

























                      answered Nov 8 at 17:20









                      Jason A. Long

                      3,4801412




                      3,4801412




















                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote













                          use the merge statement and set null for all matching rows which is fasters and efficient way to do it.






                          share|improve this answer
























                            up vote
                            0
                            down vote













                            use the merge statement and set null for all matching rows which is fasters and efficient way to do it.






                            share|improve this answer






















                              up vote
                              0
                              down vote










                              up vote
                              0
                              down vote









                              use the merge statement and set null for all matching rows which is fasters and efficient way to do it.






                              share|improve this answer












                              use the merge statement and set null for all matching rows which is fasters and efficient way to do it.







                              share|improve this answer












                              share|improve this answer



                              share|improve this answer










                              answered Nov 8 at 15:40









                              Rahul Neekhra

                              514426




                              514426




















                                  up vote
                                  0
                                  down vote













                                  There is no way to do this without doing an update on each individual column.



                                  There are shortcuts to writing such an update, like right-click>script as... or dynamic sql, but so far that's not what you've asked.






                                  share|improve this answer
























                                    up vote
                                    0
                                    down vote













                                    There is no way to do this without doing an update on each individual column.



                                    There are shortcuts to writing such an update, like right-click>script as... or dynamic sql, but so far that's not what you've asked.






                                    share|improve this answer






















                                      up vote
                                      0
                                      down vote










                                      up vote
                                      0
                                      down vote









                                      There is no way to do this without doing an update on each individual column.



                                      There are shortcuts to writing such an update, like right-click>script as... or dynamic sql, but so far that's not what you've asked.






                                      share|improve this answer












                                      There is no way to do this without doing an update on each individual column.



                                      There are shortcuts to writing such an update, like right-click>script as... or dynamic sql, but so far that's not what you've asked.







                                      share|improve this answer












                                      share|improve this answer



                                      share|improve this answer










                                      answered Nov 8 at 15:50









                                      Tab Alleman

                                      24.9k52440




                                      24.9k52440



























                                           

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