INSERT INTO multiple rows in MySQL - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the SQL statement INSERT INTO do?

It adds new rows of data into a table in the database.

beginner

How do you insert multiple rows in one SQL statement?

Use INSERT INTO table_name (columns) VALUES (row1), (row2), (row3); listing each row's values separated by commas.

intermediate

Why insert multiple rows at once instead of one by one?

It is faster and uses fewer resources because the database processes one command instead of many.

beginner

Write a simple example to insert two rows into a table named students with columns id and name.

INSERT INTO students (id, name) VALUES (1, 'Alice'), (2, 'Bob');

intermediate

What happens if you try to insert rows with duplicate primary keys?

The database will return an error and will not insert any of the rows.

Which SQL keyword is used to add new rows to a table?

A INSERT INTO

B SELECT

C UPDATE

D DELETE

The INSERT INTO statement adds new rows to a table.

How do you separate multiple rows in an INSERT INTO statement?

A With commas (,)

B With semicolons (;)

C With periods (.)

D With colons (:)

Multiple rows are separated by commas inside the VALUES clause.

What is the benefit of inserting multiple rows in one statement?

A It slows down the database

B It is faster and more efficient

C It uses more memory

D It deletes old data

Inserting multiple rows at once is faster and uses fewer resources.

Which of these is a correct syntax to insert two rows into a table named users?

A INSERT INTO users VALUES (1, 'John'); INSERT INTO users VALUES (2, 'Jane');

B INSERT INTO users (id, name) VALUES (1, 'John' AND 2, 'Jane');

C INSERT INTO users (id, name) VALUES (1, 'John'), (2, 'Jane');

D INSERT INTO users (id, name) VALUES (1, 'John'); (2, 'Jane');

Option C correctly inserts two rows in one statement using commas.

What error occurs if you insert rows with duplicate primary keys?

A Connection error

B Syntax error

C No error, rows are updated

D Duplicate key error

The database throws a duplicate key error and rejects the insert.

Explain how to insert multiple rows into a MySQL table in one statement.

Think about how you add items to a shopping list separated by commas.

Describe why inserting multiple rows at once is better than inserting one row at a time.

Imagine carrying many groceries in one trip instead of many trips.