---
id: along
title: along Metrics Statement
sidebar_label: along
keywords:
    - metrics
    - along
    - join
description: Use the along metrics statement to control what results are joined when combining multiple metrics queries based on the value of one or more result fields.
slug: /help/docs/metrics/metrics-operators/along/
canonical: https://www.sumologic.com/help/docs/metrics/metrics-operators/along/
---

import useBaseUrl from '@docusaurus/useBaseUrl';

The `along` metrics statement is useful when you join queries – it allows you to control what results are joined based on the value of one or more result fields. For more information, see [Join Metrics Queries](/docs/metrics/introduction/joins).

## Syntax

```sql
<expression> [along <field>[, <field>, …]]
```

## Example
Queries #A and #B return the `Net_InBytes` and `Net_OutBytes` metrics with the assigned `account` and averaged over `account`. Query #C calculates the difference of the pairs of time series from #A and #B whose `account` value matches.

```
#A: metric=Net_InBytes account=* | avg by account
#B: metric=Net_OutBytes account=* | avg by account
#C: #B - #A along account
```
<img src={useBaseUrl('img/metrics/along-example.png')} alt="Along example"/>