UPDATE

DML
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Modify existing rows in a table.

Modifies existing rows in a table, optionally filtering with a WHERE clause. Without WHERE, all rows are updated -- often a mistake. SET clauses are evaluated left-to-right, which matters for interdependent column updates.

Compatibility

Filter by Database
SQL UPDATE Compatibility Across Databases
Database System Support Status Since Version Notes
MySQL Native all Standard
PostgreSQL Native all Standard
SQL Server Native all Standard + OUTPUT
Oracle Native all Standard + RETURNING
SQLite Native all Standard

Details

Basic DML for modifying rows.

Standard Syntax

UPDATE table_name SET col1 = v1, col2 = v2 WHERE condition;

Version Support

MySQL: Native in all listed versions PostgreSQL: Native in all listed versions SQL Server: Native in all listed versions Oracle: Native in all listed versions SQLite: Native in all listed versions

Per-Database Syntax & Notes

MySQL Native syntax

Standard

UPDATE tbl SET c1=v1 WHERE …;

PostgreSQL Native syntax

Standard

UPDATE tbl SET c1=v1 WHERE … RETURNING *;

SQL Server Native syntax

Standard + OUTPUT

UPDATE tbl SET c1=v1 OUTPUT inserted.* WHERE …;

Oracle Native syntax

Standard + RETURNING

UPDATE tbl SET c1=v1 WHERE … RETURNING * INTO …;

SQLite Native syntax

Standard

UPDATE tbl SET c1=v1 WHERE …;