sq14

The SQL UPDATE statement allows you to update an existing record in the database.

The UPDATE command uses a WHERE clause. If you don't use a WHERE clause, all rows will be updated. In fact, the syntax for a basic UPDATE statement is very similar to a SELECT statement.

SQL statement

UPDATE Individual
SET UserName = 'funnyman'
WHERE IndividualId = '6';

Source Table

IndividualId	FirstName	LastName	UserName
1	Fred	Flinstone	freddo
2	Homer	Simpson	homey
3	Homer	Brown	notsofamous
4	Ozzy	Ozzbourne	sabbath
5	Homer	Gain	noplacelike
6	Benny	Hill	hillbenny

Result

Now if we select this record, we can see the updated value.

IndividualId	FirstName	LastName	UserName
6	Benny	Hill	funnyman

Updating Multiple Fields

To update multiple fields, separate each field assignment with a comma.

SQL statement

UPDATE Individual
SET UserName = 'getserious', FirstName = 'Onetree'
WHERE IndividualId = '6';

Result

IndividualId	FirstName	LastName	UserName
6	Onetree	Hill	getserious

Next lesson covers the DELETE statement.