SQL INSERT STATEMENT
The SQL INSERT statement is used to add data to a table. It allows users to insert either a single record or multiple records into a table.
Table of Contents

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Ways to Insert Data into a Table:
- Using SQL INSERT INTO statement
- By specifying column names
- Without specifying column names
- Using SQL INSERT INTO SELECT statement
1) Inserting Data Directly into a Table
The INSERT INTO statement is used to add records to a table. There are two methods for inserting values:
Method 1: Without Specifying Column Names
In this method, column names are not specified. Only the values to be inserted are provided.
INSERT INTO table_name
VALUES (value1, value2, value3....);
Method 2: With Specified Column Names
In this method, the column names and their corresponding values are specified.
INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2, column3....)
VALUES (value1, value2, value3.....);
Example:
Consider a table STUDENTS and insert five records into it.
INSERT INTO STUDENTS (ROLL_NO, NAME, AGE, CITY)
VALUES (1, 'RAHUL', 23, 'MUMBAI');
INSERT INTO STUDENTS (ROLL_NO, NAME, AGE, CITY)
VALUES (2, 'PRIYA', 21, 'BANGALORE');
INSERT INTO STUDENTS (ROLL_NO, NAME, AGE, CITY)
VALUES (3, 'KARAN', 22, 'HYDERABAD');
INSERT INTO STUDENTS (ROLL_NO, NAME, AGE, CITY)
VALUES (4, 'SIMRAN', 20, 'PUNE');
INSERT INTO STUDENTS (ROLL_NO, NAME, AGE, CITY)
VALUES (5, 'ARJUN', 24, 'CHENNAI');
Final Table Output:
| ROLL_NO | NAME | AGE | CITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RAHUL | 23 | MUMBAI |
| 2 | PRIYA | 21 | BANGALORE |
| 3 | KARAN | 22 | HYDERABAD |
| 4 | SIMRAN | 20 | PUNE |
| 5 | ARJUN | 24 | CHENNAI |
Another way to add a record to the CUSTOMERS table:
INSERT INTO CUSTOMERS
VALUES (6, 'ANITA', 25, 'KOCHI');
Updated Table Output:
| ROLL_NO | NAME | AGE | CITY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RAHUL | 23 | MUMBAI |
| 2 | PRIYA | 21 | BANGALORE |
| 3 | KARAN | 22 | HYDERABAD |
| 4 | SIMRAN | 20 | PUNE |
| 5 | ARJUN | 24 | CHENNAI |
| 6 | ANITA | 25 | KOCHI |
2) Inserting Data Through SELECT Statement
The INSERT INTO SELECT statement is used to copy data from one table to another.
SQL Syntax:
INSERT INTO table_name
[(column1, column2, .... column)]
SELECT column1, column2, .... Column N
FROM another_table [WHERE condition];
Important Notes:
- Ensure that the data types of the columns match the values being inserted.
- Follow any integrity constraints, such as unique and not null constraints, defined for the table.
Example:
Suppose we have an OLD_STUDENTS table containing existing student records and want to copy some of them into NEW_STUDENTS.
INSERT INTO NEW_STUDENTS (ROLL_NO, NAME, AGE, CITY)
SELECT ROLL_NO, NAME, AGE, CITY
FROM OLD_STUDENTS
WHERE AGE > 22;
This query will insert only students older than 22 from OLD_STUDENTS into NEW_STUDENTS.
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Conclusion
The SQL INSERT statement is an essential command for adding records to a table. Whether inserting single or multiple records, using INSERT INTO with or without column names, or copying data with INSERT INTO SELECT, these methods are useful for handling database operations.
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