Inserting with empty values in PostgreSQL causes error

Question

My table has three columns, but I'm only using one for most rows.

I'm trying to do a basic insert in PSQL, like so:

grouper=> INSERT INTO master_list VALUES ('Ebay',,);

But I'm getting a syntax error:

ERROR:  syntax error at or near ","
LINE 1: INSERT INTO master_list VALUES ('Ebay',,);
                                               ^

Any advice or suggestions welcome!

Yes. List the columns in the insert statement. Then you don't have to worry about empty values. — Gordon Linoff
– Gordon Linoff, Commented Jan 22, 2014 at 23:12
INSERT INTO lsa_loan_details (loan_number, repayment_type ) VALUES ('123456789',''); Say I want to insert EMPTY for repayment_type character varying(100), you can also specify two single quotes without space. it worked for me! — SimpleKarthik
– SimpleKarthik, Commented Jan 21, 2020 at 13:53

carexcer · Accepted Answer · 2014-01-22 23:12:32Z

13

Try

INSERT INTO master_list VALUES ('Ebay',null,null);

or

INSERT INTO master_list (fieldname) VALUES ('Ebay');

answered Jan 22, 2014 at 23:12

carexcer

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1 Comment

huh, I'm surprised that a empty comma delimited field wouldn't be considered null automatically... this did work though, thanks!