Finding relevant text data efficiently requires full-text search capabilities. SQL Server’s CONTAINS function allows searching for words, phrases, and synonyms in indexed columns.

How to use CONTAINS in SQL Server

Basic syntax and setup for using CONTAINS.

SELECT * 
FROM Product
WHERE CONTAINS((Name, Description), 'Laptop');

This filters results where "Laptop" appears in either column.

Use CONTAINS for various text searches

Find a word.

WHERE CONTAINS(Description, 'powerful')

Exact phrase search.

WHERE CONTAINS(Description, '"with high-"')

Prefix search.

WHERE CONTAINS(Description, '"W*"')

Proximity search.

WHERE CONTAINS(Description, 'NEAR((headphones, technology), 5)')

FAQ

How is CONTAINS different from LIKE?

LIKE is for pattern matching; CONTAINS provides full-text search.

LIKE doesn’t require an index; CONTAINS does.

Can CONTAINS search multiple columns?

Yes, specify them in parentheses.

WHERE CONTAINS((Column1, Column2), 'search_term')

How can I check if a column contains a substring?

Use CHARINDEX.

WHERE CHARINDEX('substring', ColumnName) > 0

Does CONTAINS require a full-text index?

Yes, without a full-text index, the query will not work.

Conclusion

The SQL Server CONTAINS function is a powerful tool for text-based search queries. It allows advanced filtering beyond LIKE, supporting proximity searches, word inflections, and synonyms.

However, it requires a full-text index, so ensure your SQL Server setup includes this feature.

For more details and real-world applications, read the article SQL CONTAINS Function: SQL Server Guide With Examples.