In this article learn about the basics of SQL INSERT statements along with several different examples of how to insert data into SQL Server tables. In a single-table insert, you insert values into one row of a table, view, or materialized view by specifying values explicitly or by retrieving the values through a subquery. For you to insert rows into a table, the table must be in your own schema or you must have the INSERT object privilege on the table. For you to insert rows into the base table of a view, the owner of the schema containing the view must have the INSERT object privilege on the base table. 1. to put or place in: to insert a key in a lock. 2. to introduce into the body of something. n. 3. something inserted or to be inserted. 4. an extra leaf or section, as an advertisement, printed independently, for binding or tipping into a book or periodical. in•sert′er, n. The second form of the INSERT statement contains a SELECT statement instead of a VALUES clause. A new entry is inserted into the table for each row of data returned by executing the SELECT statement. INSERT definition: 1. to put something inside something else: 2. to add writing to a text, form, etc.: 3. to put a…. Learn more. An INSERT statement can also be used to retrieve data from other tables, modify it if necessary and insert it directly into the table. All this is done in a single SQL statement that does not involve any intermediary processing in the client application. To insert multiple rows of data, we use the same INSERT INTO statement, but with multiple values: The following SQL inserts three new records in the Customers table: The meaning of INSERT is to put or thrust in. How to use insert in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Insert. The following example shows how to insert data from one table into another table by using INSERT.SELECT or INSERT.EXECUTE. Each is based on a multi-table SELECT statement that includes an expression and a literal value in the column list.