## Syntax
```mermaid
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'themeVariables': {
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flowchart LR
Start((START)) --> NVL[NVL]:::quoted
NVL --> End((END))
```
## Purpose
The `NVL` SQL function coalesces all values together.
See also [[COALESCE]].
Parameters:
- Position 1 (`ANY`): a value.
- Position n (optional, `ANY`): more values.
Returns: All values coalesced together.
## Examples
The following example retrieves the first value not being `null`:
```sql
select nvl(null, 'a')
-------------------
a
```
The following example retrieves the first value not being `null` from a longer list of values:
```sql
select nvl(null, null, 'b', null, null)
-------------------
b
```