Topic 9318 min readStructured Tutorial
SQL Server Aggregate Functions: Understanding SUM
Quick Answer
The SUM function in SQL Server calculates the total sum of a numeric column or expression across rows. It is an aggregate function used to add values, often combined with GROUP BY to summarize data by categories.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the purpose and syntax of the SUM function in SQL Server.
- Learn how to use SUM to calculate totals across rows and groups.
- Identify best practices and common pitfalls when using SUM.
Introduction
In SQL Server, aggregate functions perform calculations on multiple rows and return a single value. SUM is one of the most commonly used aggregate functions.
This tutorial explains how to use the SUM function to calculate totals in your SQL queries, with examples and best practices.
Aggregation is the foundation of data summarization.
