Syntax

to_char_char::=

Purpose

TO_CHAR (character) converts NCHAR, NVARCHAR2, CLOB, or NCLOB data to the database character set. The value returned is always VARCHAR2.

When you use this function to convert a character LOB into the database character set, if the LOB value to be converted is larger than the target type, then the database returns an error.

Examples

The following example interprets a simple string as character data:

SELECT TO_CHAR('01110') FROM DUAL;

TO_CH
-----
01110

Compare this example with the first example for TO_CHAR (number).

The following example converts some CLOB data from the pm.print_media table to the database character set:

SELECT TO_CHAR(ad_sourcetext) FROM print_media
      WHERE product_id = 2268;

TO_CHAR(AD_SOURCETEXT)
--------------------------------------------------------------------
******************************
TIGER2 2268...Standard Hayes Compatible Modem
Product ID: 2268
The #1 selling modem in the universe! Tiger2's modem includes call management
and Internet voicing. Make real-time full duplex phone calls at the same time
you're online.
**********************************

TO_CHAR (character) Function: Example

The following statements create a table named empl_temp and populate it with employee details:

CREATE TABLE empl_temp 
  ( 
     employee_id NUMBER(6), 
     first_name  VARCHAR2(20), 
     last_name   VARCHAR2(25), 
     email       VARCHAR2(25), 
     hire_date   DATE DEFAULT SYSDATE, 
     job_id      VARCHAR2(10), 
     clob_column CLOB 
  );

INSERT INTO empl_temp
VALUES(111,'John','Doe','example.com','10-JAN-2015','1001','Experienced Employee');

INSERT INTO empl_temp
VALUES(112,'John','Smith','example.com','12-JAN-2015','1002','Junior Employee');

INSERT INTO empl_temp
VALUES(113,'Johnnie','Smith','example.com','12-JAN-2014','1002','Mid-Career Employee');

INSERT INTO empl_temp
VALUES(115,'Jane','Doe','example.com','15-JAN-2015','1005','Executive Employee');

The following statement converts CLOB data to the database character set:

SELECT To_char(clob_column) "CLOB_TO_CHAR" 
FROM   empl_temp 
WHERE  employee_id IN ( 111, 112, 115 );

CLOB_TO_CHAR
--------------------
Experienced Employee
Junior Employee
Executive Employee