Identity Insert On SQL

How do you temporarily allow inserting values into an identity column?

The `IDENTITY_INSERT` command in SQL Server allows you to manually insert values into an identity column. This is useful for importing data or for specific scenarios where you need to control the identity seed. It's crucial to understand that this is a temporary change.

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Description

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Example H3

The `IDENTITY_INSERT` command in SQL Server is a DDL command that temporarily disables the automatic generation of identity values for a specified table. This allows you to explicitly set the values for the identity column during an INSERT statement. This is often used when importing data from external sources or when you need to control the sequence of identity values. It's important to note that `IDENTITY_INSERT` is a table-level operation, meaning it affects all rows inserted into the table until you turn it off. This is different from setting the `IDENTITY_SEED` or `IDENTITY_INCREMENT` which are specific to the table and column. Using `IDENTITY_INSERT` is a powerful tool, but it's crucial to understand its temporary nature and the potential for data integrity issues if not used carefully.

Why Identity Insert On SQL is important

Understanding `IDENTITY_INSERT` is crucial for data migration and import tasks. It allows you to maintain control over identity values when dealing with external data sources or specific application requirements. This avoids potential conflicts or errors during data loading.

Identity Insert On SQL Example Usage


-- Enable IDENTITY_INSERT for the 'Customers' table
SET IDENTITY_INSERT Customers ON;

-- Insert a new customer with a specific identity value
INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerID, FirstName, LastName)
VALUES (1001, 'John', 'Doe');

-- Insert another customer
INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerID, FirstName, LastName)
VALUES (1002, 'Jane', 'Smith');

-- Disable IDENTITY_INSERT for the 'Customers' table
SET IDENTITY_INSERT Customers OFF;

-- Verify the identity column is working as expected
INSERT INTO Customers (FirstName, LastName)
VALUES ('Peter', 'Jones');

SELECT * FROM Customers;

Identity Insert On SQL Syntax

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to turn `IDENTITY_INSERT` off after inserting data.
Trying to insert values into the identity column without enabling `IDENTITY_INSERT`.
Incorrectly using `IDENTITY_INSERT` with other DDL commands or transactions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When should I turn `SET IDENTITY_INSERT ON` in SQL Server?

Use SET IDENTITY_INSERT ON only when you need to manually insert explicit values into an identity column—typically during data migrations, back-fills, or when restoring data from another environment. Remember to turn it OFF immediately after the insert to avoid accidental key collisions and to let SQL Server resume automatic identity generation.

Does `IDENTITY_INSERT` change the identity seed or increment settings of a table?

No. Activating IDENTITY_INSERT merely suspends auto-generation for the duration of your session; it does not alter the underlying IDENTITY_SEED or IDENTITY_INCREMENT properties. Once you turn it off, SQL Server continues numbering from the highest identity value in the table, preserving the original seed and increment configuration.

How can Galaxy’s SQL editor streamline workflows that require `IDENTITY_INSERT`?

Galaxy’s context-aware AI copilot can detect when your script sets IDENTITY_INSERT and automatically suggest the correct ON/OFF blocks, validate identity values against existing keys, and flag potential integrity issues before execution. This saves engineering teams time, reduces risk, and keeps shared migration scripts organized inside Galaxy Collections instead of scattered across Slack or Notion.