Creator: Asking advanced questions in the SQL/native query editor

If you ever need to ask questions that can’t be expressed using Creator's question builder, you can use SQL instead.

Note: The SQL/Native query editor requires a Creator Advanced license. For more information, contact your Intellischool partner or account representative.

➡️ What is SQL?

SQL (pronounced “sequel”) stands for Structured Query Language, and is a widely used standard for getting data from databases. We won’t try to teach you all about SQL in this guide, but to learn more about it, check out this SQL Tutorial.

Even if you don’t understand SQL or how to use it, it’s worthwhile to understand how works inside Creator because sometimes other people will share SQL-based questions that might be useful to you.

➡️ Starting a new SQL query

If you have the permissions (and the Creator Advanced license) necessary to use the SQL editor, when you click the Question button you’ll see an option to start a new SQL query.

You can write SQL (or your database’s native querying language) directly into the editor that appears.

SQL editor

Tip: You can run your SQL query by pressing ctrl + enter on Windows and Linux, or ⌘ + return on a Mac. You can also run only the selected section of a query by highlighting the part you’d like to run before clicking the run button or using the run shortcut key.

Questions asked using SQL can be saved, downloaded, or added to a dashboard just like questions asked using the question builder.

➡️ Using SQL filters

If you or someone else wrote a SQL query that includes variables, your question might have filter widgets at the top of the screen. Filter widgets let you modify the SQL query before it’s run, changing the results you might get.

Writing SQL queries that use variables or parameters can be very powerful, but it’s also a bit more advanced. Learn more about SQL variables.

 

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