How to Fix 'Cannot insert explicit value for identity column in table'?

Troubleshooting the "Cannot insert explicit value for identity column" Error in SQL Server

Encountering the error "Cannot insert explicit value for identity column in table 'table' when IDENTITY_INSERT is set to OFF" in SQL Server? This typically arises when attempting to manually insert a value into a column designated for auto-incrementing. Identity columns automatically generate sequential values for each new row, and by default, IDENTITY_INSERT is set to OFF, preventing direct value insertion.

Here's how to resolve this issue:

Method 1: Temporarily Enable IDENTITY_INSERT

This method allows you to insert a specific value into the identity column, but only temporarily.

<code class="language-sql">SET IDENTITY_INSERT Table1 ON

INSERT INTO Table1 (OperationID, OpDescription, FilterID)  --Column list is mandatory
VALUES (20, 'Hierarchy Update', 1);

SET IDENTITY_INSERT Table1 OFF</code>

Method 2: Remove the Identity Constraint

If you don't need auto-incrementing for this column, remove the identity constraint. Note: This permanently disables auto-incrementing.

<code class="language-sql">ALTER TABLE Table1
DROP CONSTRAINT IDENTITY_Constraint;</code>

After this alteration, you can insert values directly into the column. However, remember that you'll need to manually specify values for every subsequent row insertion. Careful consideration is needed before opting for this method.

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