SQL for Data and Reporting

Write accurate, readable SQL — SELECT, filters, functions, GROUP BY, JOINs, CTEs, window functions, safe data changes and 50 practice queries. Almost every company stores its data in databases, and SQL is how you ask questions of it. This book teaches SQL step by step using one realistic sample database — from SELECT to window functions — with clear explanations, common mistakes, safe practices for changing data, 50 practice queries with explained solutions and a final reporting case.

Who this eBook is for

Students, aspiring analysts, MIS and reporting staff, accountants, testers and developers who need to pull accurate information from databases and build reliable reports with SQL.

What you will learn

• Understand relational databases, tables, keys and relationships.
• Retrieve data with SELECT, WHERE, ORDER BY and LIMIT.
• Use functions, handle NULL values and apply CASE logic.
• Summarise data with GROUP BY, HAVING and aggregates.
• Combine tables with INNER, LEFT and other JOINs.
• Write readable queries with subqueries and CTEs.
• Use window functions for ranking, running totals and comparisons.
• Change data safely with transactions and permissions.
• Practise 50 queries with explained solutions.
• Build a final reporting case with a query checklist.

Inside this eBook

1. Relational Databases, Tables and Keys — Understand how data is organised before you query it.
2. SELECT, WHERE, ORDER BY and LIMIT — Ask for exactly the rows and columns you need.
3. Functions, NULL Handling and CASE — Transform values and add logic inside queries.
4. GROUP BY, HAVING and Aggregates — Turn thousands of rows into summary reports.
5. INNER, LEFT and Other JOINs — Combine tables to answer real business questions.
6. Subqueries, CTEs and Readable Queries — Break complex questions into clear steps.
7. Window Functions Fundamentals — Calculate across related rows without losing detail.
8. Data Modification Safety and Permissions — Change data carefully — mistakes in production are expensive.
9. 50 Practice Queries with Explained Solutions — Practice is how SQL becomes second nature.
10. Final Reporting Case and Query Checklist — Produce a trustworthy monthly report from raw tables.

Also included

• Learning objectives, key takeaways and practice exercises in every chapter
• Complete answer key
• Glossary, 30-day action plan and printable workbook pages
• Practice schema
• 50 query exercises
• Query checklist

Format

Premium PDF, 60 pages, A4 — read online on Skilmex or download your copy. Written by Skilmex Experts, edition 1.0 (2026). For personal use; please do not share the file.