T-SQL language enhancements in Microsoft Fabric Data Warehouse (Preview)

Microsoft Fabric Data Warehouse is expanding its T-SQL capabilities with four language enhancements in preview. GROUP BY ALL, ORDER BY ALL, the QUALIFY clause, and the FROM ... SELECT query format help SQL developers and data professionals reduce repetitive code, simplify query maintenance, and make analytical logic easier to understand.

Figure: A T-SQL query uses GROUP BY ALL and ORDER BY ALL in Microsoft Fabric Data Warehouse.

What’s new

Four T-SQL language enhancements are available in preview:

• GROUP BY ALL — automatically groups by every non-aggregate expression in the SELECT list, reducing duplication between SELECT and GROUP BY clauses.
• ORDER BY ALL — sorts results by each column in the SELECT list, using the same column order, so developers do not need to repeat every sort expression.
• QUALIFY — filters rows after window functions are evaluated, so common ranking and top-N patterns no longer require an additional subquery or common table expression.
• FROM ... SELECT — provides an alternative query format that begins with the data source and defines the selected columns later, allowing developers to write complex queries in a source-first sequence.

These additions reduce repetitive code and make query intent easier to understand. They are especially valuable when queries include many grouping or sorting columns, when analytical results require filtering, or when a source-first structure makes complex logic easier to follow and maintain.

Together, these enhancements make queries easier to adapt as requirements change. Developers can add or remove projected columns with less rework, filter analytical results without an extra query layer, and organize complex queries in the sequence that best matches how they reason about the data.

New capabilities:

• Write shorter queries with less repeated code.
• Make grouping, ordering, and analytical filtering easier to understand.
• Reduce maintenance when projected columns change.
• Express source-first query logic in a clear, natural sequence.
• Use familiar T-SQL capabilities directly in Microsoft Fabric Data Warehouse.

Conclusion

These T-SQL language enhancements make everyday query development in Microsoft Fabric Data Warehouse more concise and expressive. Whether you are summarizing data, sorting wide result sets, filtering window-function results, or organizing complex query flows, the new syntax helps you focus on analytical intent instead of repetitive code.

For syntax, supported options, and examples, refer to the documentation for QUALIFY, GROUP BY ALL, ORDER BY ALL, and FROM ... SELECT. As you evaluate these preview capabilities, share your scenarios and feedback with the Microsoft Fabric community on Reddit.