Introduction to IDENTITY_INSERT in SQL Server

Introduction to IDENTITY_INSERT in SQL Server

The identity column is the numeric column in the SQL Server table whose value increments automatically. The value of the identity column is set by the SQL Server itself based on the definition provided by the user. Thus user can not explicitly set the value of such columns and they are unique. The identity column can not be NULL....

Examples of How to Turn IDENTITY_INSERT On and Off Using SQL Server

Example 1: Create a Table With an Identity Column and See it Functions...

How to Turn IDENTITY_INSERT ON SQL Server 2008

IDENTITY_INSERT ON statement that allows us to explicitly specify the value we want to insert into the identity column of a table, instead of depend on the database to automatically generate the next value in the sequence....

How to Turn IDENTITY_INSERT OFF SQL Server 2008

IDENTITY_INSERT OFF is the default state for a table’s identity column. It signifies that automatic identity value generation is enabled, meaning the database assigns the next sequential value whenever we insert a new row without specifying a value for the identity column....

Conclusion

In summary, we have understood the core concept of the identity column in SQL Server and the significance of Identity Insert option between ON and OFF. The identity column streamlines the generation of unique values, simplifying the management of primary keys. Turning Identity Insert ON allows for explicit value insertion, beneficial in scenarios like data imports or migrations. Conversely, setting it to OFF maintains automatic generation, ensuring data integrity....