The function, TABLESAMPLE, allows you to return a number of rows or a certain percentage of the data. In the cell directly below this one, we show that TABLESAMPLE can be used to access a specific number of rows. In the following cell, we show that it can be used to access a given percentage of the data. Please note, however, any table display is limited to 1,000 rows. If the percentage of data you request returns more thna 1,000 rows, only the first 1000 will show.

 The sample that displays 2 percent of the table is also ordered by the InvoiceDate. This shows off a formatting issue in the date column that we will have to fix later on. Take a moment and see if you can predict how we might need to change in the way the InvoiceDate is written.