FORMAT

Lays out the last query on several lines for readability, without changing its meaning or running it.

Syntax

FORMAT

Examples

select a.id,a.name from customer a where a.status='ACTIVE';
FORMAT;
//

Details

A rewrite, never a run

FORMAT never runs the query. On success, the formatted query becomes the last query: // and SHOW QUERY show it, and / runs it. When the query cannot be read safely (an unterminated string, quoted identifier or comment), the last query stays exactly as it was and the reason is printed.

What changes

Only the spaces and line breaks between the words of the query. The text of strings, comments (Oracle hints included), quoted identifiers, numbers and keywords is never rewritten, reordered or removed, so the meaning of the query cannot change.

Related

• EXPAND
• SHOW QUERY
• Console, the last query

Used in these how-tos

• How do I explore an unfamiliar database in fifteen minutes?

Last modified in release 5.5.0.

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