What Limits the Number of Rows in a Single MySQL INSERT Statement?

MySQL: Uncovering the Maximum Number of Rows in a Single INSERT Statement

When attempting to insert multiple rows into a MySQL table using a single INSERT statement, it's crucial to understand the potential limitations.

Does it Depend on the Number of Values Sets?

No. The number of value sets does not directly impact the maximum number of rows that can be inserted. You can insert an arbitrary number of value sets as long as they adhere to the following restrictions:

• The number of value sets must match the number of columns defined in the table.
• Each value set must follow the correct data type for the corresponding column.

Does it Depend on the Number of Bytes in the INSERT Statement?

Yes, indirectly. The number of rows that can be inserted in a single INSERT statement is influenced by the length of the statement. MySQL imposes a limitation known as max_allowed_packet, which restricts the size of SQL statements sent by the client to the database server. This limit applies to all types of queries, including INSERT statements.

Practical Considerations

While MySQL does not explicitly limit the number of rows in an INSERT statement, practical factors may arise:

• The total size of the INSERT statement must not exceed the max_allowed_packet setting.
• The database server's available memory and processing power can impact the number of rows that can be inserted efficiently.

Alternative Approaches

For inserting a large volume of data, consider the following alternative approaches:

• INSERT ... SELECT: This allows inserting infinitely many records from other tables into the target table without size limitations.
• Batched INSERT: Break down the large insert into smaller batches and execute them sequentially. This can improve performance and reduce the risk of exceeding the max_allowed_packet limit.
• LOAD DATA INFILE: This feature allows bulk loading of data from a text file into a MySQL table. It does not have the same limitations as INSERT statements and is suitable for importing massive datasets.

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