[sql] Cannot insert explicit value for identity column in table 'table' when IDENTITY_INSERT is set to OFF

I have the below error when I execute the following script. What is the error about, and how it can be resolved?

Insert table(OperationID,OpDescription,FilterID)
values (20,'Hierachy Update',1)

Error:

Server: Msg 544, Level 16, State 1, Line 1

Cannot insert explicit value for identity column in table 'table' when IDENTITY_INSERT is set to OFF.

Note that if you are closing each line with ;, the SET IDENTITY_INSERT mytable ON command will not hold for the following lines.

i.e.
a query like

SET IDENTITY_INSERT mytable ON;
INSERT INTO mytable (VoucherID, name) VALUES (1, 'Cole');

Gives the error
Cannot insert explicit value for identity column in table 'mytable' when IDENTITY_INSERT is set to OFF.

But a query like this will work:

SET IDENTITY_INSERT mytable ON
INSERT INTO mytable (VoucherID, name) VALUES (1, 'Cole')
SET IDENTITY_INSERT mytable OFF;

It seems like the SET IDENTITY_INSERT command only holds for a transaction, and the ; will signify the end of a transaction.

Another situation is to check that the Primary Key is the same name as with your classes where the only difference is that your primary key has an 'ID' appended to it or to specify [Key] on primary keys that are not related to how the class is named.

don't put value to OperationID because it will be automatically generated. try this:

Insert table(OpDescription,FilterID) values ('Hierachy Update',1)

Simply delete the tables that are dragged into your .dbml file and re-drag them again. Then Clean solution>Rebuild solution> Build solution.

Thats what worked for me.

I didnt made the table on my own, I was using VS and SSMS, I followed this link for ASP.NET Identity:https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/aspnet/identity/overview/getting-started/adding-aspnet-identity-to-an-empty-or-existing-web-forms-project

There are basically 2 different ways to INSERT records without having an error:

1) When the IDENTITY_INSERT is set OFF. The PRIMARY KEY "ID" MUST NOT BE PRESENT

2) When the IDENTITY_INSERT is set ON. The PRIMARY KEY "ID" MUST BE PRESENT

As per the following example from the same Table created with an IDENTITY PRIMARY KEY:

CREATE TABLE [dbo].[Persons] (    
    ID INT IDENTITY(1,1) PRIMARY KEY,
    LastName VARCHAR(40) NOT NULL,
    FirstName VARCHAR(40)
);

1) In the first example, you can insert new records into the table without getting an error when the IDENTITY_INSERT is OFF. The PRIMARY KEY "ID" MUST NOT BE PRESENT from the "INSERT INTO" Statements and a unique ID value will be added automatically:. If the ID is present from the INSERT in this case, you will get the error "Cannot insert explicit value for identify column in table..."

SET IDENTITY_INSERT [dbo].[Persons] OFF;
INSERT INTO [dbo].[Persons] (FirstName,LastName)
VALUES ('JANE','DOE'); 
INSERT INTO Persons (FirstName,LastName) 
VALUES ('JOE','BROWN');

OUTPUT of TABLE [dbo].[Persons] will be:

ID    LastName   FirstName
1     DOE        Jane
2     BROWN      JOE

2) In the Second example, you can insert new records into the table without getting an error when the IDENTITY_INSERT is ON. The PRIMARY KEY "ID" MUST BE PRESENT from the "INSERT INTO" Statements as long as the ID value does not already exist: If the ID is NOT present from the INSERT in this case, you will get the error "Explicit value must be specified for identity column table..."

SET IDENTITY_INSERT [dbo].[Persons] ON;
INSERT INTO [dbo].[Persons] (ID,FirstName,LastName)
VALUES (5,'JOHN','WHITE'); 
INSERT INTO [dbo].[Persons] (ID,FirstName,LastName)
VALUES (3,'JACK','BLACK'); 

OUTPUT of TABLE [dbo].[Persons] will be:

ID    LastName   FirstName
1     DOE        Jane
2     BROWN      JOE
3     BLACK      JACK
5     WHITE      JOHN

The problem raised from using non-typed DBContext or DBSet if you using Interface and implement method of savechanges in a generic way

If this is your case I propose to strongly typed DBContex for example

MyDBContext.MyEntity.Add(mynewObject)

then .Savechanges will work

In my CASE I was inserting more character than defined in table.

In My Table column was defined with nvarchar(3) and I was passing more than 3 characters and same ERROR message was coming .

Its not answer but may be in some case problem is similar

There is pre-mentioned OperationId in your query which should not be there as it is auto increamented

Insert table(OperationID,OpDescription,FilterID)
values (20,'Hierachy Update',1)

so your query will be

Insert table(OpDescription,FilterID)
values ('Hierachy Update',1)

Simply If you getting this error on SQL server then run this query-

SET IDENTITY_INSERT tableName ON

This is working only for a single table of database e.g If the table name is student then query look like this:

SET IDENTITY_INSERT student ON

If you getting this error on your web application or you using entity framework then first run this query on SQL server and Update your entity model (.edmx file) and build your project and this error will be resolved

you can simply use This statement for example if your table name is School. Before insertion make sure identity_insert is set to ON and after insert query turn identity_insert OFF

SET IDENTITY_INSERT School ON
/*
  insert query
  enter code here
*/
SET IDENTITY_INSERT School OFF

If you're having this issue while using an sql-server with the sequelize-typescript npm make sure to add @AutoIncrement to ID column:

  @PrimaryKey
  @AutoIncrement
  @Column
  id!: number;

If you are using liquibase to update your SQL Server, you are likely trying to insert a record key into an autoIncrement field. By removing the column from the insert, your script should run.

<changeSet id="CREATE_GROUP_TABLE" >
    <createTable tableName="GROUP_D">
        <column name="GROUP_ID" type="INTEGER" autoIncrement="true">
            <constraints primaryKey="true"/>
        </column>
    </createTable>
</changeSet>

<changeSet id="INSERT_UNKNOWN_GROUP" >
    <insert tableName="GROUP_D">    

        <column name="GROUP_ID" valueNumeric="-1"/>
 ...
    </insert>
</changeSet>

I'm not sure what the use for the "Insert Table" is, but if you're just trying to insert some values try:

Insert Into [tablename] (OpDescription,FilterID)
values ('Hierachy Update',1);

I had the same error message come up, but I think this should work. The ID should auto-increment automatically as long as it's a primary key.

The best solution is to use annotation GeneratedValue(strategy = ...), i.e.

@Id
@GeneratedValue(strategy = GenerationType.IDENTITY)
@Column ...
private int OperationID;

it says, that this column is generated by database using IDENTITY strategy and you don't need to take care of - database will do it.

In your entity for that table, add the DatabaseGenerated attribute above the column for which identity insert is set:

Example:

[DatabaseGenerated(DatabaseGeneratedOption.Identity)]
public int TaskId { get; set; }

I solved this problem by creating a new object every time I want to add anything to the database.

In my case I was having set another property as key in context for my modelBuilder.

modelBuilder.Entity<MyTable>().HasKey(t => t.OtherProp);

I had to set the proper id

 modelBuilder.Entity<MyTable>().HasKey(t => t.Id);

1. This occurs when you have a (Primary key) column that is not set to Is Identity to true in SQL and you don't pass explicit value thereof during insert. It will take the first row, then you wont be able to insert the second row, the error will pop up. This can be corrected by adding this line of code [DatabaseGenerated(DatabaseGeneratedOption.Identity)] in your PrimaryKey column and make sure its set to a data type int. If the column is the primary key and is set to IsIDentity to true in SQL there is no need for this line of code [DatabaseGenerated(DatabaseGeneratedOption.Identity)]
2. this also occurs when u have a column that is not the primary key, in SQL that is set to Is Identity to true, and in your EF you did not add this line of code [DatabaseGenerated(DatabaseGeneratedOption.Identity)]

You're inserting values for OperationId that is an identity column.

You can turn on identity insert on the table like this so that you can specify your own identity values.

SET IDENTITY_INSERT Table1 ON

INSERT INTO Table1
/*Note the column list is REQUIRED here, not optional*/
            (OperationID,
             OpDescription,
             FilterID)
VALUES      (20,
             'Hierachy Update',
             1)

SET IDENTITY_INSERT Table1 OFF 

And if you are using Oracle SQL Developer to connect, remember to add /sqldev:stmt/

/sqldev:stmt/ set identity_insert TABLE on;

Be very wary of setting IDENTITY_INSERT to ON. This is a poor practice unless the database is in maintenance mode and set to single user. This affects not only your insert, but those of anyone else trying to access the table.

Why are you trying to put a value into an identity field?

everyone comment about SQL, but what hapend in EntityFramework? I spent reading the whole post and no one solved EF. So after a few days a found solution: EF Core in the context to create the model there is an instruction like this: modelBuilder.Entity<Cliente>(entity => { entity.Property(e => e.Id).ValueGeneratedNever();

this produces the error too, solution: you have to change by ValueGeneratedOnAdd() and its works!