devxlogo

Insert Large Numbers of Rows into a Database Table with PL/SQL

Why Trust Us

Everybody knows that it takes a long time to insert a large number of records into a table. To improve the speed of insertion, you can use the PL/SWL loop FORALL.

In PL/SQL, use a cursor to fetch the rows from one table and insert them into the other table.

To reduce fetching time, do a BULK COLLECT INTO:

FETCHBULK COLLECT INTOLIMIT 

To insert the fetched row, use the FORALL loop. 


FORALL INDX IN .. SAVE EXCEPTIONS


You can also handle Exceptions by using the SAVE EXCEPTIONS option in the FORALL loop. Here, the FORALL loop acts as a bulk insert. When it encounters an exception, it just saves it and continues with the next record.


To view the exceptions that occurred during the insert, include the following statement after the FORALL loop:


EXCEPTIONWHEN bulk_errors THENFOR indx IN 1 .. SQL%BULK_EXCEPTIONS.COUNTLOOPerrno := SQL%BULK_EXCEPTIONS(indx).ERROR_INDEX;errmsg := SQLERRM(-1 * SQL%BULK_EXCEPTIONS(indx).ERROR_CODE);END LOOP;END;


Placing the keyword SAVE EXCEPTIONS in the FORALL loop stores all the encountered exceptions in BULK_EXCEPTIONS. Thus, the FORALL loop can be used for Bulk Insert and even Exceptions can be handled in that.


NOTE: The keyword SAVE EXCEPTIONS in the FORALL loop works only in Oracle9i. 








Charlie has over a decade of experience in website administration and technology management. As the site admin, he oversees all technical aspects of running a high-traffic online platform, ensuring optimal performance, security, and user experience.
See also  How Seasoned Architects Evaluate New Tech

		
				
				

				

					

			
						
						
							
						Disclosure
		
					
		

				

				

				

				

			
About Our Editorial Process
		

				

					
		
					
		
				

				

							
At DevX, we’re dedicated to tech entrepreneurship. Our team closely follows industry shifts, new products, AI breakthroughs, technology trends, and funding announcements. Articles undergo thorough editing to ensure accuracy and clarity, reflecting DevX’s style and supporting entrepreneurs in the tech sphere.
See our full editorial policy.
						

				

				

				

					

				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				
				

					
		
				

				

			
						
						Show More
		
					
		

				

				

				

					
		
				

			

							

		

				

			

						

				

					

				

					

		

					
		
							
				
				

					

								

						

					

			

							

		

				

			

						

				

					

			
						
		

				

				

				

						

					

			

						

				

						
					
					
				

				

					

		

				

			

						

				

					

							
					
						Linkedin
											
				
							
					
						Twitter
											
				
					

				

				

					

		

				

			

							

		

					

		

				

						

					

			

						

				

					

			
						
		

				

				

				

				

						
					
					
				

				

				

				

					

			
						
		

				

				

					

		

					

		

					

		

				

			

							

		

					

		

				

						

					

			

							

		

				

			

						

				

			
©2025 Copyright DevX - All Rights Reserved. Registration or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
		

				

				

				

							
Sitemap — Privacy Policy