is this the correct syntax for my sql/php statement

when R_GTM_LAUNCH equals 'No', then it cannot be null, So you do not need the null condition:
$sql .= " Select * FROM `REQUEST` WHERE `R_STATUS` = 'S' and `R_GTM_LAUNCH`='No'   ORDER BY R_NUMBER DESC";

>>a lot of empty fields
If you are trying to avoid the fields that you will get from the *, then you need to check each field individually via (fieldname IS NOT NULL):
$sql .= " Select * FROM REQUEST WHERE R_STATUS = 'S' and R_GTM_LAUNCH='No'  and (`field1` IS NOT NULL)  and (`field2` IS NOT NULL) ORDER BY

Hielo

we are change the db, so now the launch field will always have a value, before it was sometimes empty/null, so in my query I want it to ignore the time when launch is empty.

$sql .= " Select * FROM REQUEST WHERE R_STATUS = 'S' and (R_GTM_LAUNCH IS NOT NULL)

Hielo,

it's still grabbing the empty fields.  Is !empty and option?

>> Is !empty and option?
No. there is no such function in MySQL.

You probably have some fields set to an empty string, and others set to NULL. Try:
$sql .= " Select * FROM REQUEST WHERE R_STATUS = 'S' and (''<>R_GTM_LAUNCH) AND (R_GTM_LAUNCH IS NOT NULL)

I just realized what you were saying at first the null values shouldn't appear any way because they don't equal no

i have to be doing something else wrongl.

did you mean to have the "<>?  I've never seend that used in a query like this

(''<>R_GTM_LAUNCH)

That's Hielo, you rock!  as always.  Thanks.