Insert Into Table SQL

How do you add new rows to a table in SQL?

The `INSERT INTO` statement is fundamental to adding new data to a table in a relational database. It specifies the table and the values to be inserted into its columns.

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Description

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The `INSERT INTO` statement is a crucial part of any SQL developer's toolkit. It allows you to add new records (rows) to an existing table. This is essential for populating your database with data. Understanding how to use `INSERT INTO` correctly is vital for maintaining and updating your database. You can insert data into a table in several ways, depending on the amount of data you need to add and the structure of your table. For example, you might insert a single row, or multiple rows at once. You can also insert data from another table or a query result. The `INSERT INTO` statement is a fundamental building block for data manipulation in SQL.

Why Insert Into Table SQL is important

The `INSERT INTO` statement is essential for populating databases with data. It's a core part of any application that interacts with a database. Without it, you wouldn't be able to add new information to your tables, making the database useless.

Insert Into Table SQL Example Usage


-- Inserting a single row
INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerID, FirstName, LastName, City)
VALUES (1, 'John', 'Doe', 'New York');

-- Inserting multiple rows using VALUES clause
INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerID, FirstName, LastName, City)
VALUES
(2, 'Jane', 'Smith', 'Los Angeles'),
(3, 'Peter', 'Jones', 'Chicago');

-- Inserting data from another table (using a SELECT statement)
INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerID, FirstName, LastName, City)
SELECT CustomerID, FirstName, LastName, City FROM TempCustomers;

-- Inserting data with default values for columns
INSERT INTO Orders (OrderID, CustomerID, OrderDate)
VALUES (101, 1, GETDATE());

Insert Into Table SQL Syntax

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to specify the column names when using the `VALUES` clause, leading to errors.
Incorrect data types in the `VALUES` clause, causing type mismatch errors.
Trying to insert data into a column that has a constraint (e.g., `NOT NULL`) without providing a value.
Using the wrong syntax for inserting multiple rows.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

When should I use a single-row INSERT versus a multi-row INSERT?

Use a single-row INSERT INTO when you only need to add one record or when each insert must be executed conditionally. For seeding lookup tables or bulk loading thousands of records, a multi-row INSERT INTO ... VALUES (…),(…) is far faster because the database parses the statement once and commits once, drastically reducing network round-trips and transaction overhead.

Can I insert data from another table or query result?

Absolutely. Combine INSERT INTO with a SELECT clause: INSERT INTO target_table (col1, col2) SELECT col1, col2 FROM source_table WHERE ...; This pattern is ideal for archiving data, denormalizing tables, or quickly copying subsets of data without writing application-level code.

How does Galaxy make writing INSERT INTO statements easier?

Galaxy’s context-aware AI copilot autocompletes column lists, flags mismatched VALUES clauses, and can generate full INSERT … SELECT templates based on the tables you highlight. The modern editor also tracks run history and lets teammates endorse data-loading scripts, eliminating the need to share raw SQL in Slack or Notion while ensuring your inserts are accurate and consistent.