Introduction

Inserting data into MySQL tables is a fundamental operation in database management. In this step-by-step guide, we will walk you through the process of inserting data into MySQL tables. You'll learn how to add new records, specify values, and handle various data types.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, ensure you have the following prerequisites:

• A MySQL database set up with tables where you want to insert data
• Access to MySQL, either through a client or command line
• Basic knowledge of SQL (Structured Query Language)

Step 1: Accessing MySQL

Open your terminal or a MySQL client to access the MySQL server. You can use the following command:

mysql -u your_username -p

Replace 'your_username' with your MySQL username. You'll be prompted to enter your MySQL password.

Step 2: Selecting a Database

Before inserting data, ensure you've selected the appropriate database where the table resides. Use the `USE` statement:

USE your_database_name;

This command switches your session to use the specified database for subsequent SQL operations.

Step 3: Inserting a Single Row

Use the `INSERT INTO` statement to add a single record to a table. For example, to insert a new user into a 'users' table:

INSERT INTO users (username, email) VALUES ('john_doe', 'john@example.com');

This command specifies the table name, column names, and values for the new record.

Step 4: Inserting Multiple Rows

You can insert multiple records with a single `INSERT INTO` statement by separating them with commas. For example, to insert two users:

INSERT INTO users (username, email) VALUES
    ('jane_doe', 'jane@example.com'),
    ('bob_smith', 'bob@example.com');

This inserts two new records into the 'users' table at once.

Step 5: Inserting Data Using SELECT

You can also insert data into a table from the result of a `SELECT` query. For instance, to copy data from one table to another:

INSERT INTO new_table (column1, column2)
SELECT old_column1, old_column2
FROM old_table;

This populates the 'new_table' with data from the 'old_table'.

Conclusion

Inserting data into MySQL tables is a crucial part of database management. By following the steps in this guide and understanding the SQL syntax, you can efficiently add data to your MySQL tables, whether it's a single record or multiple records at once.