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PostgreSQL INSERT INTO

The INSERT INTO statement is used to add new rows of data into an existing PostgreSQL table. You can insert one row at a time or multiple rows in a single query.

Key Topics

1. Basic Syntax

INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2, ...)
VALUES (value1, value2, ...);

Always ensure that the values match the order and data types of the columns.

2. Inserting Multiple Rows

INSERT INTO table_name (column1, column2)
VALUES
    (value1a, value2a),
    (value1b, value2b),
    (value1c, value2c);

Separate each set of values with a comma to insert multiple rows at once.

3. Using the RETURNING Clause

When you need to retrieve the inserted data (for example, auto-generated IDs), use the RETURNING clause:

INSERT INTO employees (first_name, last_name)
VALUES ('John', 'Doe')
RETURNING emp_id;

Code Explanation: This query inserts a new employee and returns the auto-generated emp_id value in one operation.

Best Practices

  • Use explicit column lists to avoid mistakes when the table schema changes.
  • Validate data before insertion to maintain data quality and integrity.
  • Leverage the RETURNING clause to obtain inserted row data without extra queries.

Key Takeaways

  • The INSERT INTO statement is fundamental for adding data to PostgreSQL tables.
  • You can insert multiple rows in a single statement for efficiency.
  • Use RETURNING to capture auto-generated column values.
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