Extracting XML Child Nodes into Multiple Rows in SQL Server

Discover how to query multiple rows of an XML column in SQL Server to extract child nodes into separate rows using T-SQL.
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Extracting XML Child Nodes into Multiple Rows in SQL Server: A Step-by-Step Guide

Handling XML data in SQL Server can be somewhat challenging, especially when you want to extract child nodes and present them in a more readable format. If you're dealing with an XML column that contains a list of values, it might seem daunting to transform that XML into multiple rows. In this guide, we will explore how to query multiple rows of an XML column to extract child nodes into separate rows, giving you the results you desire. Let’s dive in!

The Problem: Extracting Nodes from an XML Column

Suppose you have a table with the following structure:

NameMessageJohn<User><Data><ValueList><Value>123</Value><Value>456</Value><Value>789</Value><Value>654</Value></ValueList></Data></User>Jack<User><Data><ValueList><Value>555</Value><Value>455</Value></ValueList></Data></User>Jane<User><Data><ValueList><Value>576</Value><Value>854</Value><Value>933</Value></ValueList></Data></User>From this data, you want to extract every <Value> node into its own row, resulting in the following output:

NameValuesJohn123John456John789John654Jack555Jack455Jane576Jane854Jane933The Solution: Using T-SQL to Extract Values

To accomplish this extraction, you can utilize T-SQL with the CROSS APPLY operator to easily transform the XML data into a table format. Below is the step-by-step breakdown to achieve the desired result.

Step 1: Creating the Sample Table

First, we need to create a sample table and populate it with the XML data. Here’s how you can do that:

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Step 2: Extracting the Values

Now, we can perform the extraction using the following SQL query:

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Step 3: Output

When you execute the above query, you should receive the following output:

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Conclusion

In this guide, we have explored how to effectively query an XML column in SQL Server to extract child nodes into separate rows using T-SQL. Using the CROSS APPLY method simplifies the extraction process and formats your data in a meaningful way. Now, you should feel confident handling XML data and presenting it in a more usable structure. If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to leave a comment below!