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

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the SQL command INSERT INTO do?

It adds new rows (records) 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 is inserting multiple rows at once better than inserting one row at a time?

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

beginner

Write an example SQL query 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 using INSERT INTO multiple rows?

The database will return an error and will not insert any of the rows unless you handle duplicates with special clauses.

Which SQL syntax correctly inserts multiple rows into a table named products?

A INSERT INTO products (id, name) VALUES (1, 'Pen'), (2, 'Pencil');

B INSERT INTO products (id, name) VALUES (1, 'Pen'); INSERT INTO products (id, name) VALUES (2, 'Pencil');

C INSERT MULTIPLE INTO products VALUES (1, 'Pen'), (2, 'Pencil');

D INSERT INTO products VALUES (1, 'Pen') AND (2, 'Pencil');

Option A uses the correct syntax to insert multiple rows in one statement.

What separates each row's values in a multi-row INSERT statement?

A Semicolon (;)

B Comma (,)

C Period (.)

D Colon (:)

Each row's values are separated by commas in the VALUES clause.

If you want to insert three rows into a table, how many times do you write the column names in the INSERT statement?

A Once

B Zero times

C Twice

D Three times

You write the column names only once before the VALUES list.

What will happen if one row in a multi-row INSERT violates a constraint (like a duplicate primary key)?

A All rows are inserted except the bad one

B The database ignores the error and continues

C Only the first row is inserted

D No rows are inserted and an error is returned

The entire statement fails and no rows are inserted unless handled explicitly.

Which of these is a benefit of inserting multiple rows at once?

A Slower performance

B More network traffic

C Less resource usage

D More complex syntax

Inserting multiple rows at once reduces resource usage and improves performance.

Explain how to insert multiple rows into a SQL table in one command.

Think about how you add many items to a list in one go.

What are the advantages and possible errors when using multi-row INSERT statements?

Consider speed and error handling.

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