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How to Use SQL Insert Into Table

How to Use SQL Insert Into Table

When working with databases, it is crucial to know how to insert data into a table. SQL allows you to insert data into a table using the INSERT INTO statement.

Syntax

The syntax for the INSERT INTO statement is as follows:

INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2, column3, ...)
VALUES (value1, value2, value3, ...);
  • table_name: the name of the table you want to insert data into.
  • (column1, column2, column3, ...): the column names for which you want to insert data.
  • (value1, value2, value3, ...): the values you want to insert into the specified columns.

Example

Let’s take a look at an example where we want to add a new record to a table called customers. The table has columns id, name, email, and age.

INSERT INTO customers (id, name, email, age)
VALUES (1, 'John Doe', 'johndoe@email.com', 30);

This statement will insert a new record into the customers table with the specified values.

Inserting Multiple Records

You can insert multiple records at once by separating them with commas. Here’s an example:

INSERT INTO customers (id, name, email, age)
VALUES
    (2, 'Jane Doe', 'janedoe@email.com', 26),
    (3, 'Bob Smith', 'bobsmith@email.com', 45),
    (4, 'Alice Johnson', 'alicejohnson@email.com', 55);

This statement will insert three new records into the customers table.

Inserting Data from Another Table

You can also insert data from another table using the INSERT INTO statement. Here’s an example:

INSERT INTO customers (id, name, email, age)
SELECT id, name, email, age
FROM other_customers
WHERE age > 30;

In this example, we’re inserting data from a table called other_customers into the customers table. We’re only selecting records where the age is greater than 30.

Troubleshooting Tips

  • Make sure you have the correct column names and values specified in your INSERT INTO statement.
  • Check that the data types of the values match the data types of the columns you’re inserting into.
  • Make sure the table you’re inserting into exists and that you have the proper permissions to insert data into it.
  • If you’re inserting data from another table, make sure the columns in the two tables match up.

Conclusion

The INSERT INTO statement is an essential part of working with databases. It allows you to add new records to a table or copy data from one table to another. By following the syntax outlined in this tutorial and using the troubleshooting tips, you can confidently insert data into your tables.

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