not-equal-to-transact-sql-exclamation.md

title	!= (Not Equal To) (Transact-SQL)
description	Tests whether one expression isn't equal to another expression (a comparison operator).
author	rwestMSFT
ms.author	randolphwest
ms.date	05/07/2026
ms.service	sql
ms.subservice	t-sql
ms.topic	reference
ms.custom	ignite-2025
f1_keywords	!= !=_TSQL
helpviewer_keywords	!= (not equal to) not equal to operator (!=)
dev_langs	TSQL
monikerRange	>=aps-pdw-2016 || =azuresqldb-current || =azure-sqldw-latest || >=sql-server-2016 || >=sql-server-linux-2017 || =azuresqldb-mi-current || =fabric || =fabric-sqldb

Not equal to (Transact-SQL) - exclamation

[!INCLUDE sql-asdb-asdbmi-asa-pdw-fabricse-fabricdw-fabricsqldb]

Tests whether one expression isn't equal to another expression (a comparison operator). If either or both operands are NULL, NULL is returned. Functions the same as the Not equal to - traditional comparison operator.

Related content

• Expressions (Transact-SQL)
• Operators (Transact-SQL)