Lesson 15.4
SQL EXCEPT
EXCEPT subtracts one compatible result set from another.
EXCEPT returns rows from the first query that do not appear in the second query. It reads like subtraction: start with a full list, then remove the rows found by another SELECT.
This can express missing-match questions clearly, especially when the final output is a simple list of values or identifiers.
Pattern
select value_column
from full_list
except
select value_column
from values_to_removeThe selected row is the comparison
EXCEPT compares every selected column. Keep both sides aligned and avoid adding extra columns to only one side of the query.
Schema · Garden ShopTable · orders6 columns · 24 rows
Table · orders
6 columns · 24 rowsOne row per order. Unshipped orders have a null shipped_date.
order_id intcustomer_id intorder_date dateshipped_date datestatus textcoupon_code text
Your task
Return customer_id, first_name, andlast_name for active customers who havenever had a shipped order.
SQL Workbench
⌘↵ to run·
Expected answer
- Columns: customer_id, first_name, last_name.
- Rows: active customers with no shipped order rows.
- EXCEPT compares the full selected row, so both SELECT statements use the same columns.
← Previous · 15.3 INTERSECT
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Start Chapter 16: Summary Reports & Pivots →Begins with 16.1 Pivoting with conditional aggregation