How to create running totals in SQL As an analyst being able to determine the balance at the point of a transaction is often highly useful This short video shows you how to use a 'window' function to create a running total #SQL #SQLTIPS #SELECTDISTINCT

2. How to Calculate Running
Totals in SSMS

3. One of the most used reasons
you might need to create a
running total is to show a
balance as at the date of the
transaction

4. Assuming you have a table of sales records
Select SaleDate, Sales_Gross
from [dbo].[SalesSample]
But you need to see the running total of sales at
the end of each date

5. Using a ‘window function’ we can calculate the
running total from the Sales (Gross) column
Select SaleDate, Sales_Gross
, sum(Sales_Gross) over (order by SaleDate asc) as [Running Total]
from [dbo].[SalesSample]

6. Breaking this down
Select SaleDate, Sales_Gross
, sum(Sales_Gross) over (order by SaleDate asc) as [Running Total]
from [dbo].[SalesSample]
sum(Sales_Gross)
Defines which method of aggregation to use on which column
over (order by SaleDate asc)
Provides the details of how you want the running total to ‘sort’
as [Running Total]
Defines the name of the new column

7. You can easily amend this to
create running counts, averages
or other calculations

8. Hope you found this useful

9. For more Tips, Tricks and
Timesavers, visit our website
Tips and Timesavers | Select Distinct Limited
Credit: simon.harrison@selectdistinct.co.uk