How to delete the top 1000 rows from a table using SQL Server 2008?

sql

prompt-engineering

best-practices

performance

byNikita Barsukov·Feb 16, 2025

For the brave at heart, here's the quick'n'dirty way to zap 1000 rows in SQL Server:

-- Rest in peace, Top 1000...
DELETE TOP (1000) FROM MyTable;

Order matters? Try this:

-- Extracting 1000 time travellers by their ArrivalTime...
DELETE FROM MyTable WHERE ID IN (
    SELECT TOP 1000 ID FROM MyTable ORDER BY ArrivalTime
);

Note: Don't forget to replace MyTable, ID and ArrivalTime with your quantum data. Backup first, or make sure you know a guy who can reverse time!

Order: the special ingredient in your deletion

Say you're deleting time travellers. Who goes first - the oldest or newest arrival? Define an order if it matters:

-- Time travellers hate being in queues.
WITH OrderedDeletes AS (
    SELECT TOP 1000 *
    FROM MyTable
    ORDER BY ArrivalTime DESC
)
-- Later, losers!
DELETE FROM OrderedDeletes;

This CTE (Common Table Expression) helps us define the order of deletion.

Traps and tricks

Attempting a DELETE with SELECT TOP 1000 * is a common pitfall:

-- This will blow up much like my first chemistry experiment
DELETE FROM (
    SELECT TOP 1000 * FROM MyTable
) AS wannabe_deleted;

Instead, use IN with a subquery. It's like sending your kids to find their own socks — much safer.

Performance hacks

Because who wants to wait? Here's a few considerations:

Size matters: The bigger the table, the longer the delete.
Index on steroids: An index on your ordered column is a performance enhancer!
Constraints: Dealing with foreign keys? Prepare for cascade deletes or tantrums.
Triggers: Deletion triggers are drama queens. Be prepared for the show.

Big tables, big batches

For whopping tables with gazillions of rows, delete in batches to avoid SQL tantrums:

-- Loop-d-loop! Don't forget the safety helmet!
WHILE @@ROWCOUNT > 0
BEGIN
    DELETE TOP (1000) 
    FROM MyTable 
    WHERE CONDITION IF YOU DARE
    ORDER BY MyColumn; 
    -- BREAK when enough is enough
END

Keep the peace: handle concurrency

Concurrency can be like a squabble in the schoolyard. Transaction isolation levels and locking hints can help keep the peace:

SET TRANSACTION ISOLATION LEVEL READ COMMITTED;
-- Fast and furious: skip locked rows!
DELETE TOP (1000) FROM MyTable WITH (READPAST);

Safety first

Taking a plunge with valuable data? Here's your life ring:

SET ROWCOUNT: sets the limit — think 'Data Diet'

-- New Year Resolution: Only 1000 at a time!
SET ROWCOUNT 1000; 
DELETE FROM MyTable WHERE CONDITION; 
SET ROWCOUNT 0;

Transactions: Safety net for 'Oops!' moments

BEGIN TRANSACTION;
-- Make magic happen here --
COMMIT TRANSACTION;

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Order: the special ingredient in your deletion Traps and tricks Performance hacks Big tables, big batches Keep the peace: handle concurrency Safety first