Question

I am using this SQL query

DECLARE @cols AS NVARCHAR(MAX),
    @query  AS NVARCHAR(MAX)

select @cols = STUFF((SELECT distinct ',' + QUOTENAME(Animal2) 
                    from animals
            FOR XML PATH(''), TYPE
            ).value('.', 'NVARCHAR(MAX)') 
        ,1,1,'')

set @query = 'SELECT Animal1, ' + @cols + ' from 
             (
                select animal1, animal2, Corelation
                from animals
            ) x
            pivot 
            (
                min(Corelation)
                for animal2 in (' + @cols + ')
            ) p '

execute(@query)

See SQL Fiddle with demo

When I execute the query I get a table as a return.

How can I select from that table? I tried to use SELECT * FROM (*past here the script*) but it did not work. I just need to use the result of the execute(@query) as a table and select from it (to put it in a new table). How can I do it?

Thanks

NOTE: that query was an answer of this SO question

Answer 1

Use into and a global temporary table – then you don’t have to define the table columns in advance.

set @query = 'SELECT Animal1, ' + @cols + 
    +' into ##temp '
    +' from 
             (
                select animal1, animal2, Corelation
                from animals
            ) x
            pivot 
            (
                min(Corelation)
                for animal2 in (' + @cols + ')
            ) p '

select * from ##temp