vector-functions-transact-sql.md

title	Vector Functions (Transact-SQL)
description	Vector functions perform operations on vector type allowing applications to store and manipulate vectors in SQL Server.
author	WilliamDAssafMSFT
ms.author	wiassaf
ms.reviewer	damauri, pookam
ms.date	05/01/2025
ms.update-cycle	180-days
ms.service	sql
ms.subservice	system-objects
ms.topic	reference
ms.collection	ce-skilling-ai-copilot
helpviewer_keywords	vector search, system functions
dev_langs	TSQL
monikerRange	=sql-server-ver17 || =sql-server-linux-ver17 || = azuresqldb-current || =azuresqldb-mi-current || =fabric
ms.custom	build-2025

Vector functions (preview)

[!INCLUDE sqlserver2025-asdb-asmi-fabricsqldb]

The following scalar functions perform operations on vectors in binary format, allowing applications to store and manipulate vectors in the SQL Database Engine.

Note

• Vector features are in preview and are subject to change. Make sure to read preview usage terms in the Service Level Agreements (SLA) for Online Services document.
• Vector features are available in Azure SQL Managed Instance configured with the Always-up-to-date update policy.

All Vector functions support the Vector data type.

Function	Description
VECTOR_DISTANCE	Calculates the distance between two vectors using a specified distance metric.
VECTOR_SEARCH	Return the closest vectors to a given query vector and distance metric using an approximate vector search algorithm.
VECTOR_NORM	Takes a vector as an input and returns the norm of the vector (which is a measure of its length or magnitude) in a given norm type.
VECTOR_NORMALIZE	Takes a vector as an input and returns the normalized vector, which is a vector scaled to have a length of 1 in a given norm type. Adjusts a vector so that its length is normalized following the rules of specified norm type.
VECTORPROPERTY	Returns specific properties of a given vector.

Related content

• Vector data type
• Overview of vectors in the SQL Database Engine
• Intelligent applications with Azure SQL Database