How Can I Efficiently Transpose Columns and Rows in SQL?

SQL Column and Row Transposition: A Practical Guide

SQL often requires transposing data – converting table orientation from vertical (columns) to horizontal (rows) or the reverse. While the PIVOT command exists, it can be cumbersome. This guide explores simpler alternatives.

Method 1: UNION ALL, Aggregate, and CASE Statement

This approach uses UNION ALL to unpivot, then an aggregate function (here, SUM) and a CASE statement to repivot:

select name,
  sum(case when color = 'Red' then value else 0 end) Red,
  sum(case when color = 'Green' then value else 0 end) Green,
  sum(case when color = 'Blue' then value else 0 end) Blue
from
(
  select color, Paul value, 'Paul' name
  from yourTable
  union all
  select color, John value, 'John' name
  from yourTable
  union all
  select color, Tim value, 'Tim' name
  from yourTable
  union all
  select color, Eric value, 'Eric' name
  from yourTable
) src
group by name

Method 2: Static UNPIVOT and PIVOT

Knowing the number of columns to transform allows for a static UNPIVOT and PIVOT solution:

select name, [Red], [Green], [Blue]
from
(
  select color, name, value
  from yourtable
  unpivot
  (
    value for name in (Paul, John, Tim, Eric)
  ) unpiv
) src
pivot
(
  sum(value)
  for color in ([Red], [Green], [Blue])
) piv

Method 3: Dynamic Pivot for Variable Columns

When dealing with a dynamic number of columns and colors, dynamic SQL offers a solution:

DECLARE @colsUnpivot AS NVARCHAR(MAX),
    @query  AS NVARCHAR(MAX),
    @colsPivot as  NVARCHAR(MAX)

select @colsUnpivot = stuff((select ','+quotename(C.name)
         from sys.columns as C
         where C.object_id = object_id('yourtable') and
               C.name <> 'color'
         for xml path('')), 1, 1, '')

select @colsPivot = STUFF((SELECT  ',' 
                      + quotename(color)
                    from yourtable t
            FOR XML PATH(''), TYPE
            ).value('.', 'NVARCHAR(MAX)') 
        ,1,1,'')


set @query 
  = 'select name, '+@colsPivot+'
      from
      (
        select color, name, value
        from yourtable
        unpivot
        (
          value for name in ('+@colsUnpivot+')
        ) unpiv
      ) src
      pivot
      (
        sum(value)
        for color in ('+@colsPivot+')
      ) piv'

exec(@query)

These methods provide versatile approaches to data transposition in SQL, adapting to various data manipulation needs.

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