MySQL CONCAT_WS() Function

The CONCAT_WS() function combines two or more expressions into one string, with a separator between each expression. WS stands for “With Separator”.

MySQL CONCAT_WS Function Syntax

CONCAT_WS(separator, expression1, expression2, expression3, ...);

CONCAT_WS(separator, expression1, expression2, expression3, ...);

MySQL CONCAT_WS Function Example

This query returns the combined string ‘SQL-Tutorial-is-fun!’ with – as the separator.

SELECT CONCAT_WS('-', 'SQL', 'Tutorial', 'is', 'fun!') AS ConcatenatedString;

SELECT CONCAT_WS('-', 'SQL', 'Tutorial', 'is', 'fun!') AS ConcatenatedString;

Note: The CONCAT_WS() function is supported in MySQL but not in SQLite. This example does not work in the TechKubo playground.

MySQL CONCAT_WS Function Parameters

MySQL CONCAT_WS Function Table Column Example

This query returns the full patient info by combining first_name, last_name, and gender, separated by spaces.

SELECT CONCAT_WS(' ', first_name, last_name, gender) AS PatientInfo
FROM Patients;

SELECT CONCAT_WS(' ', first_name, last_name, gender) AS PatientInfo

FROM Patients;

Note: The CONCAT_WS() function is supported in MySQL but not in SQLite. This example does not work in the TechKubo playground. You can use || and manually add separators if needed.

MySQL CONCAT_WS Function Notes

• Combines multiple expressions with a specified separator.
• If any expression is NULL, it is skipped (separator is not added for NULL values).
• If the separator is NULL, the result is NULL.
• Works in MySQL 4.0 and higher.
• Not supported in SQLite. In SQLite, use || for string concatenation and insert separators manually.