Stripping the first three characters off a column

I just accidentally updated my entire database to include 3 characters in front of the product code. I was going to try to do a 'Set' statement utilizing the mid string function to remove the first three characters but Mid is not recognized in Query Analyzer. How can I accomplish this?

Because you said "Query Analyzer," I will assume your database is Microsoft SQL/Server. MID is a Microsoft Access function. Use the SUBSTRING function in SQL/Server.

   update yourTable
      set productcode = substring(productcode,4)

Ordinarily, you will see SUBSTRING expressions with three parameters --

   substring(string, startpos [, length])

When length is omitted, the substring extends to the end of the string.

For More Information

• What do you think about this answer? E-mail the Edtior at [email protected] with your feedback.
• The Best SQL Web Links: tips, tutorials, scripts, and more.
• Have a SQL tip to offer your fellow DBA's and developers? The best tips submitted will receive a cool prize--submit your tip today!
• Ask your technical SQL questions--or help out your peers by answering them--in our live discussion forums.
• Ask the Experts yourself: Our SQL, database design, Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, metadata, and data warehousing gurus are waiting to answer your toughest questions.