# VARCHAR function

The VARCHAR function returns a varying-length character string representation of a character string.

## Character to varchar syntax

    VARCHAR ( characterStringExpression )

characterStringExpression
  An expression whose value must be of a character-string data type with a maximum length of 32,672 bytes.

## Datetime to varchar syntax

    VARCHAR ( datetimeExpression )

datetimeExpression
  An expression whose value must be of a date, time, or timestamp data type.

## Example

Using the EMPLOYEE table, select the job description (JOB defined as CHAR(8)) for Dolores Quintana as a VARCHAR equivelant:

    SELECT VARCHAR(JOB)
    FROM EMPLOYEE
    WHERE LASTNAME = 'QUINTANA'

Parent topic: Built-in functions