INSERT INTO multiple rows in SQL - Mini Project: Build & Apply

Insert Multiple Rows into a Database Table

📖 Scenario: You are managing a small bookstore database. You need to add several new books to the books table at once to keep the inventory updated.

🎯 Goal: Learn how to insert multiple rows into the books table using a single INSERT INTO statement.

📋 What You'll Learn

Create a table called books with columns id (integer), title (text), and author (text).

Insert multiple rows into the books table in one INSERT INTO statement.

Use exact values for the books as specified in the instructions.

💡 Why This Matters

🌍 Real World

In real bookstores or libraries, adding multiple new books to the database at once saves time and keeps inventory accurate.

💼 Career

Database administrators and developers often insert multiple records efficiently to maintain data integrity and performance.

1

Create the books table

Write a SQL statement to create a table called books with three columns: id as an integer, title as text, and author as text.

SQL

-- Write the CREATE TABLE statement for books
-- Your code here

Hint

Use CREATE TABLE books (id INTEGER, title TEXT, author TEXT); to create the table.

2

Prepare to insert multiple rows

Write a SQL statement that starts an INSERT INTO command for the books table specifying the columns id, title, and author. Do not add the values yet.

SQL

CREATE TABLE books (
  id INTEGER,
  title TEXT,
  author TEXT
);

-- Start the INSERT INTO statement for books
-- Your code here

Hint

Use INSERT INTO books (id, title, author) to specify the table and columns.

3

Insert multiple rows with values

Complete the INSERT INTO statement by adding VALUES with three rows: (1, 'The Hobbit', 'J.R.R. Tolkien'), (2, '1984', 'George Orwell'), and (3, 'To Kill a Mockingbird', 'Harper Lee').

SQL

CREATE TABLE books (
  id INTEGER,
  title TEXT,
  author TEXT
);

INSERT INTO books (id, title, author)
-- Add VALUES with three rows here
-- Your code here

Hint

Use VALUES (1, 'The Hobbit', 'J.R.R. Tolkien'), (2, '1984', 'George Orwell'), (3, 'To Kill a Mockingbird', 'Harper Lee'); to insert multiple rows.

4

Verify the insertion with a SELECT statement

Add a SQL statement to select all columns from the books table to check that the rows were inserted correctly.

SQL

CREATE TABLE books (
  id INTEGER,
  title TEXT,
  author TEXT
);

INSERT INTO books (id, title, author)
VALUES
  (1, 'The Hobbit', 'J.R.R. Tolkien'),
  (2, '1984', 'George Orwell'),
  (3, 'To Kill a Mockingbird', 'Harper Lee');

-- Write a SELECT statement to view all rows in books
-- Your code here

Hint

Use SELECT * FROM books; to see all rows in the table.

Practice

1. What does the SQL statement INSERT INTO table_name (col1, col2) VALUES (1, 'A'), (2, 'B'); do?

easy

A. Deletes rows where col1 is 1 or 2.

B. Updates existing rows with new values.

C. Inserts two new rows into the table with specified values.

D. Creates a new table named table_name.

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the INSERT INTO syntax

   The statement specifies columns and multiple sets of values separated by commas.

2. Step 2: Recognize the effect of multiple value sets

   Each set of values adds one new row to the table.

3. Final Answer:

   Inserts two new rows into the table with specified values. -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Multiple VALUES sets = multiple rows inserted [OK]

Hint: Multiple VALUES sets add multiple rows at once [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking it updates rows instead of inserting
• Confusing INSERT with DELETE or UPDATE
• Believing it creates a new table

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to insert multiple rows into a table named students with columns id and name?

easy

A. INSERT INTO students (id, name) SET (1, 'Alice'), (2, 'Bob');

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

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

D. INSERT INTO students VALUES (1, 'Alice'); (2, 'Bob');

Solution

1. Step 1: Check the correct use of VALUES keyword

   VALUES keyword must be followed by multiple sets of values separated by commas.

2. Step 2: Identify correct punctuation and keywords

   INSERT INTO students (id, name) VALUES (1, 'Alice'), (2, 'Bob'); uses commas correctly and no extra keywords like AND or SET.

3. Final Answer:

   INSERT INTO students (id, name) VALUES (1, 'Alice'), (2, 'Bob'); -> Option B

4. Quick Check:

   VALUES + comma-separated tuples = correct syntax [OK]

Hint: Use VALUES with comma-separated rows, no AND or SET [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using semicolons between value sets
• Using AND instead of commas
• Using SET keyword incorrectly

3. Given the table products(id INT, name VARCHAR(20)), what will be the result of this query?

INSERT INTO products (id, name) VALUES (1, 'Pen'), (2, 'Pencil'), (3, 'Eraser');
SELECT * FROM products;

medium

A. No rows will be added because SELECT does not insert data.

B. Only one row with id 3 and name Eraser will be added.

C. The query will cause a syntax error.

D. Three new rows with ids 1, 2, 3 and names Pen, Pencil, Eraser will be added.

Solution

1. Step 1: Analyze the INSERT statement

   The INSERT adds three rows with given ids and names in one command.

2. Step 2: Understand the SELECT statement

   SELECT * FROM products will show all rows including the newly inserted ones.

3. Final Answer:

   Three new rows with ids 1, 2, 3 and names Pen, Pencil, Eraser will be added. -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Multiple VALUES sets insert multiple rows [OK]

Hint: INSERT adds all rows; SELECT shows them all [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Thinking only last row inserts
• Confusing SELECT with INSERT
• Expecting syntax error due to multiple rows

4. Identify the error in this SQL statement:

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

medium

A. Using semicolon between value sets causes syntax error.

B. Missing column names in the statement.

C. VALUES keyword is missing.

D. Using single quotes around names is invalid.

Solution

1. Step 1: Check punctuation between value sets

   Multiple rows must be separated by commas, not semicolons.

2. Step 2: Confirm correct use of VALUES and quotes

   VALUES keyword is present and single quotes for strings are correct.

3. Final Answer:

   Using semicolon between value sets causes syntax error. -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use commas, not semicolons, between multiple VALUES [OK]

Hint: Separate multiple rows with commas, not semicolons [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using semicolons instead of commas
• Omitting column list when required
• Misusing quotes around strings

5. You want to insert multiple rows into a table orders(order_id, product, quantity) but only have values for product and quantity. Which query correctly inserts three rows with products and quantities, letting order_id auto-increment?

hard

A. INSERT INTO orders (product, quantity) VALUES ('Book', 2), ('Pen', 5), ('Notebook', 3);

B. INSERT INTO orders VALUES ('Book', 2), ('Pen', 5), ('Notebook', 3);

C. INSERT INTO orders (order_id, product, quantity) VALUES (NULL, 'Book', 2), ('Pen', 5), ('Notebook', 3);

D. INSERT INTO orders (product, quantity) VALUES ('Book', 2); ('Pen', 5); ('Notebook', 3);

Solution

1. Step 1: Use column list excluding auto-increment column

   Specify only product and quantity columns to let order_id auto-fill.

2. Step 2: Provide multiple value sets separated by commas

   INSERT INTO orders (product, quantity) VALUES ('Book', 2), ('Pen', 5), ('Notebook', 3); correctly uses VALUES with comma-separated tuples.

3. Final Answer:

   INSERT INTO orders (product, quantity) VALUES ('Book', 2), ('Pen', 5), ('Notebook', 3); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Omit auto-increment column, list others, use commas [OK]

Hint: List columns except auto-increment, separate rows with commas [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting column list when not providing all columns
• Using semicolons between rows
• Inserting NULL explicitly for auto-increment column