# STRING_TO_ARRAY() Function in PostgreSQL

> The STRING_TO_ARRAY() function accepts a string as the first argument, splits it into array elements, and concatenates the array elements using a delimiter/sep…

PostgreSQL provides various array functions such as **ARRAY_APPEND(), ARRAY_TO_STRING(), ARRAY_REPLACE()** , etc. **STRING_TO_ARRAY()** is one of them. Each array function serves a unique functionality. For instance, the STRING_TO_ARRAY() function converts a string into an array.

This write-up will teach you how to use the **STRING_TO_ARRAY()** function in Postgres via suitable examples. So, let’s start!

 **How to Use the STRING_TO_ARRAY() Function in Postgres?**

In PostgreSQL, STRING_TO_ARRAY() is a built-in array function that accepts three arguments: a string, a delimiter, and a text to replace the null values. The STRING_TO_ARRAY() function accepts a string as the first argument, splits it into array elements, and concatenates the array elements using a delimiter/separator. The separator can be any value, such as white space, comma, semi-colon, etc.
    
    
    STRING_TO_ARRAY(str, sep[, text]);

In the above syntax:

\- “str” represents a string to be converted into an array.  
\- “sep” represents a splitter based on which the given string will be split to array elements.  
\- “text” is an optional parameter that replaces the NULL values with the specified text.

 **Note:** The return type of the STRING_TO_ARRAY() function will be an ARRAY.

 **Example 1: What Does the STRING_TO_ARRAY() Function Do in Postgres?**

This example will explain the working of the STRING_TO_ARRAY() function in Postgres:
    
    
    SELECT STRING_TO_ARRAY(
    'HELLO WELCOME TO COMMAND PROMPT', ' ');

In the above example:

\- A string is passed to the STRING_TO_ARRAY() function as the first argument.  
\- White space is passed as a second argument to the STRING_TO_ARRAY() function, which will split the given string from the white spaces:

The above snippet shows that the given string has been split into array elements.

 **Example 2: How Does the STRING_TO_ARRAY() Function Work on Table’s Data in Postgres?**

We have created a table named “employee_data” that consists of three columns: emp_id, emp_name, and emp_email_address:
    
    
    SELECT * FROM employee_data;

The above snippet shows that the emp_name column has string-type data. Let’s use the STRING_TO_DATE() function on the “emp_name” column to convert the string into an array:
    
    
    SELECT STRING_TO_ARRAY(emp_name, ' ')
    FROM employee_data;

The above snippet authenticates that the STRING_TO_ARRAY() function was executed successfully. The STRING_TO_ARRAY() function splits the input string into array elements. The output shows that the return type of the returned array is text.

That’s it from this Postgres guide!

 **Conclusion**

In PostgreSQL, **STRING_TO_ARRAY()** is a built-in array function that accepts three arguments: a string, a delimiter, and a text to replace the null values. The STRING_TO_ARRAY() function accepts a string as the first argument, splits it into array elements, and concatenates the array elements using a delimiter/separator. The separator can be any value, such as white space, comma, semi-colon, etc. This write-up explained Postgres' STRING_TO_ARRAY() function with practical examples.

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