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>>3. cannot return a value directly, it only returns a result set, hence the temp table. also, must use temp table rather than table variable, since you cannot insert into...exec sp.. using a table var.
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>Hi Trey,
>
>Take a look at How to return a value from dynamicaly executed T-SQL code FAQ #8130

This example uses EXEC, which can only be used in a UDF for execution of extended stored procedures.

I need to be able to do it in a function because I need to call the function from a SELECT.