Inserting multiple records from a single variable

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Inserting multiple records from a single variable

jhinch

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Points: 53
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April 24, 2014 at 5:00 am

#290576

I have two tables. Table 1 has column "job", table 2 has column "job" and column "item". In table table 2 there are multiple "items" for each "job"
I would like to insert all of the "items" into table 1, based on a join table1.job = table2.job
What is the best way accomplish this task?
Thanks!

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Eirikur Eiriksson SSC Guru Points: 182882 More actions · Answer 1

jhinch (4/24/2014)
I have two tables. Table 1 has column "job", table 2 has column "job" and column "item". In table table 2 there are multiple "items" for each "job"
I would like to insert all of the "items" into table 1, based on a join table1.job = table2.job
What is the best way accomplish this task?
Thanks!

First create a query joining the two tables and filter the results or whatever needed.

Then construct an insert clause and use the previous query as the source.

insert into mytable(column list)

select [column list]

from mytable1 inner join mytable2

on [join condition]

😎

jhinch Valued Member Points: 53 More actions · Answer 2

Here is an example to further clarify the question;

Table1

Job

1

2

3

Table2

Job Item

1 123

1 456

2 123

2 999

2 121

3 787

I would like to insert all items into table 1 based on the matching job number in table2. i.e.;

table1

Job Item

1 123

1 456

2 123

2 999

2 121

3 787

ChrisM@Work SSC Guru Points: 186127 More actions · Answer 3

Your sample indicates that table1 is an exact copy of two columns of table2 - is this really the case?

Here's one way to do what you want, if table1 is restricted to jobs which already exist in it:

SELECT DISTINCT job

INTO #temp

FROM Table1

TRUNCATE TABLE Table1

INSERT INTO Table1 (job, item)

SELECT job, item

FROM Table2 t2

WHERE EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM #temp t1 WHERE t1.job = t2.job)

DROP TABLE #temp

^{“Write the query the simplest way. If through testing it becomes clear that the performance is inadequate, consider alternative query forms.” - Gail Shaw}

For fast, accurate and documented assistance in answering your questions, please read this article.
Understanding and using APPLY, (I) and (II) Paul White
Hidden RBAR: Triangular Joins / The "Numbers" or "Tally" Table: What it is and how it replaces a loop Jeff Moden

MMartin1 One Orange Chip Points: 27774 More actions · Answer 4

You don't necessarily need to use a join, try the WHERE EXISTS clause. Look it up on MSDN.

----------------------------------------------------

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1003867 More actions · Answer 5

MMartin1 (5/20/2014)
You don't necessarily need to use a join, try the WHERE EXISTS clause. Look it up on MSDN.

WHERE EXISTS requires an Equi-Join within the sub-query.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1003867 More actions · Answer 6

jhinch (4/24/2014)
Here is an example to further clarify the question;
Table1
Job
1
2
3
Table2
Job Item
1 123
1 456
2 123
2 999
2 121
3 787
I would like to insert all items into table 1 based on the matching job number in table2. i.e.;
table1
Job Item
1 123
1 456
2 123
2 999
2 121
3 787

Why are you making a copy of the table? Why not just use Table2?

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

Eugene Elutin SSC Guru Points: 59322 More actions · Answer 7

...
Why are you making a copy of the table? Why not just use Table2?

And if you really want a complete copy of Table2 in Table1 then you can do just that:

drop table Table1

select * into Table1 from Table2

_____________________________________________
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing"
"O skol'ko nam otkrytiy chudnyh prevnosit microsofta duh!":-D
(So many miracle inventions provided by MS to us...)

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