Query and modify data with Transact-SQL

  • Free
  • No certificate
  • Beginner
  • 5.8 hours
Provider
Microsoft
Cost
Free
Certificate
No certificate
Level
Beginner
Duration
5.8 hours
Format
Self-paced
Language
English
Subjects
Data Science, Programming
Source
Microsoft Learn
Last verified
14 Sep 2026

This learning path teaches Transact-SQL, the dialect of SQL used by SQL Server and Azure SQL, from the first SELECT statement to modifying data. Microsoft's catalog lists it at 345 minutes, which we show as 5.8 hours, and marks it beginner level; the intended roles range from data analysts and developers to database administrators and students. Six modules run in order: an introduction to Transact-SQL, sorting and filtering results, combining tables with JOINs, writing subqueries, using built-in functions and GROUP BY, and modifying data with insert, update, delete and merge statements.

Each module is a set of text units with worked examples and a knowledge check; the hands-on exercises use a sample database, so you will need access to a SQL Server or Azure SQL environment of your own to run them. The path is free, like all Microsoft Learn training, and can be read without signing in, though a profile records progress and awards the completion trophy. Microsoft does not issue a certificate for finishing a learning path, so we list it without a credential.

Advertisement

What you’ll learn

  • Write SELECT statements that return the columns and rows you need
  • Sort and filter result sets with ORDER BY, WHERE and TOP
  • Combine data from several tables with inner, outer and cross joins
  • Use subqueries to answer questions that depend on other queries
  • Apply built-in functions and GROUP BY to summarise data
  • Insert, update, delete and merge rows with T-SQL

Who it’s for

Anyone who needs to query a SQL Server or Azure SQL database; the concepts carry over to other SQL dialects with small syntax changes.

Source: Microsoft Learn (opens in a new tab) · Verified · Report a change

Advertisement
FreeOpens learn.microsoft.com Go to course (opens in a new tab)