Tutorial Gateway

MySQL IN Operator

The MySQL IN Operator is used to restrict the total number of rows returned by the SELECT Statement. The MySQL IN Operator checks the given expression against the Values inside the IN operator. If there is at least one match, then SELECT Statement returns the records. Please use MySQL IN Operator to check an expression or condition against Multiple values.

MySQL IN Operator Syntax

The basic syntax of the IN operator in MySQL can be written as:

SELECT [Column Names] 
FROM [Source] 
WHERE [Column_Name] IN (Value1,...., ValueN) 

-- Use OR to write the above statement 
SELECT [Column Names] 
FROM [Source] 
WHERE [Column_Name] = Value1 OR [Column_Name] = ValueN

For this MySQL IN Operator example, We are using the below-shown data

MySQL IN Operator 4

MySQL IN Operator Example

In this example, we are checking for numeric values using this in operator.

SELECT 3 IN (1, 2, 3, 4, 5);

SELECT 6 IN (1, 2, 3, 4, 5);

SELECT 3.5 IN (1, 2, 3, 4, 5);
MySQL IN Operator 1

Let me check for string data using in operator. Within the third statement, we used mixed values inside an in operator. In real-time, this might give strange results, so always use a single data type inside an in operator.

SELECT 'abc' IN ('xyz', 'hi', 'abc', 'ab');

SELECT 'a' IN ('xyz', 'hi', 'abc', 'ab');

SELECT 4 IN (1, 3, 4, '5');
MySQL IN Operator 2

Instead of using Mixed values, we have to use any single MySQL type. So, the SELECT Statement gives an accurate result.

SELECT 4 IN ('1',' 3', '4', '5');

SELECT (10, 20) IN ((1,2), (10, 20), (100, 200));

SELECT 3 IN (1, 3, NULL, 4);
MySQL IN Operator 3

MySQL IN Practical Examples

The following MySQL in operator query finds the Customers whose Income is either 80000 or 90000

SELECT EmpID, 
       `First Name`,
       `Last Name`,
       Qualification,
       Occupation,
       Income,
       Sales,
       HireDate
 FROM `MySQL Tutorial`.customer
 WHERE Income IN (80000, 90000);
MySQL IN Numeric Values 5

For better understanding, Let me show you one more example. The following query returns the Customers whose Income is either 50000, 80000, or 90000

SELECT EmpID, 
       `First Name`,
       `Last Name`,
       Qualification,
       Occupation,
       Income,
       Sales,
       HireDate
 FROM `MySQL Tutorial`.customer
 WHERE Income IN (50000, 80000, 90000);
MySQL IN Numeric Values 6

MySQL IN String Example

This time, we are using the String data. The following In operator query find the Customers whose Qualification in either Bachelors or Masters Degree.

SELECT EmpID, 
       `First Name`,
       `Last Name`,
       Qualification,
       Occupation,
       Income,
       Sales,
       HireDate
 FROM `MySQL Tutorial`.customer
 WHERE Qualification IN ('Bachelors', 'Masters Degree');
MySQL IN String 7

MySQL IN Order By Clause

You can also use Order By clause along with In operator. This query returns Customers whose Qualification in either Bachelors, Masters Degree, or Education. Next, Order By clause sorts the result based on the Income in ascending order.

SELECT EmpID, 
       `First Name`,
       `Last Name`,
       Qualification,
       Occupation,
       Income,
       Sales,
       HireDate
 FROM `MySQL Tutorial`.customer
 WHERE Qualification IN ('Bachelors', 'Masters Degree', 'Education')
 ORDER BY Income;
MySQL IN Order By 8