mysql select to return blanks for all but first row of repeating column

Question

Is it possible to create a mysql select (directly or using a stored procedure) that will return blanks for repeating columns. For example, a select that would normally retu

Answer 1

For MySQL (I guess it should be similar for other DBs), to avoid repeating a column value on every row, you can make good use of variables. No subqueries necessary: light and quick.

//Init a variable
SET @previous:="";

//Remember previous row value
SELECT IF(Name=@previous, "", @previous:=Name) AS GroupedName, Value
FROM tableName ORDER BY 1;