Shortcut for adding table to column name SQL-server 2014

Question

Stupidly simple question, but I just don't know what to google!

If I create a query like this:

Select id, data
from table1

Now I want to join with table2. I can immediately see that the id column is no longer unique and I have to change it to

table1.id

Is there any smart way (like a keyboard-shortcut) to do this, instead of manually adding table1 to every column? Either before I add the Join to secure that all columns will be unique, or after with suggestions based on the different possible tables.

Answer 1

No, there is no helper.

But do not you can alias the table name:

select x.Col1, y.Col2
from ALongTableName x
  inner join AReallyReallyLongTableName y on x.Id = y.OtherId

which can also make queries clearer, and is very much necessary when doing self joins.

Answer 2

First of all, you should start using aliases :

SQL aliases are used to give a database table, or a column in a table, a temporary name.

Basically aliases are created to make column names more readable.

This will narrow down your problem and make your code maintenance easier. If that's not enough, I guess you could start using auto-completion tools, such as these:

1. SQL Complete
2. SQL Prompt
3. ApexSQL Complete

These have your desired functionality, however, they do not always work as expected (at least for me).

Answer 3

Oh! You can use alias table name. Like this:

SELECT A.ID, A.data
FROM TableA A
INNER JOIN TableB B
ON A.ID = B.ID

You just only use A. or B. if two table have same this column selected. If they different, you don't need: Like this:

SELECT A.ID, data -- if Table B not have column data
FROM TableA A
INNER JOIN TableB B
ON A.ID = B.ID

Or:

Select A.*, B.ID
FROM TableA A
INNER JOIN TableB B
ON A.ID = B.ID