> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.firebolt.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

> Reference material for COALESCE function

# COALESCE

Checks from left to right for the first non-NULL argument found for each entry parameter pair.

## Syntax

```sql theme={"theme":{"light":"css-variables","dark":"css-variables"}}
COALESCE(<expression> [,...])
```

## Parameters

| Parameter      | Description                    | Supported input types |
| :------------- | :----------------------------- | :-------------------- |
| `<expression>` | The expression(s) to coalesce. | Any                   |

## Return Types

Same as input type

## Example

The following example returns the first non-NULL value provided, which is the username `esimpson`:

<div className="query-window">
  ```
  SELECT COALESCE(NULL, 'esimpson', 'sabrina21') AS nicknames;
  ```

  | nicknames <span>text</span> |
  | :-------------------------- |
  | esimpson                    |

  <p><span>Rows: 1</span><span>Execution time: 6.68ms</span></p>
</div>