Dapper Insert, Insert Async, Multiple Rows, Bulk Insert

To insert data in Dapper, you need to write your INSERT SQL statement and call the Execute method. Make sure to use parameters when passing your values to avoid SQL Injection.

To insert in Dapper, you need to use the Execute method with an INSERT statement and provide your query parameter values.

In this example:

We will create a connection
We will create an INSERT SQL statement
Call the Execute method

3a. The first time, we will pass parameter values with an anonymous type
3b. The second time, we will pass parameter values by providing the customer entity

// 1. We will create a connection
using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
    // 2. We will create an `INSERT` SQL statement
	var sql = "INSERT INTO Customers (Name, Email) VALUES (@Name, @Email)";

	// 3. Call the `Execute` method
	{
		// 3a. The first time, we will pass parameter values with an anonymous type
		var anonymousCustomer = new { Name = "ZZZ Projects", Email = "[email protected]" };

		var rowsAffected = connection.Execute(sql, anonymousCustomer);
		Console.WriteLine($"{rowsAffected} row(s) inserted.");
	}

	{
		// 3b. The second time, we will pass parameter values by providing the customer entity
		var customer = new Customer() { Name = "Learn Dapper", Email = "[email protected]" };

		var rowsAffected = connection.Execute(sql, customer);
		Console.WriteLine($"{rowsAffected} row(s) inserted.");
	}

	var insertedCustomers = connection.Query<Customer>("SELECT * FROM Customers").ToList();
}

Dapper Insert Async

To insert in Dapper asynchronously, you need to use the ExecuteAsync method. Unfortunately, Dapper doesn't support cancellation token.

In this example, we will use the same logic as the previous example with a few differences:

Replace the Execute method with the ExecuteAsync method
Use the await keyword
The ConfigureAwait(false) part is optional (depending on your application type)

// 1. We will create a connection
using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
    // 2. We will create an `INSERT` SQL statement
	var sql = "INSERT INTO Customers (Name, Email) VALUES (@Name, @Email)";

	// 3. Call the `ExecuteAsync` method
	{
		// 3a. The first time, we will pass parameter values with an anonymous type
		var anonymousCustomer = new { Name = "ZZZ Projects", Email = "[email protected]" };

		var rowsAffected = await connection.ExecuteAsync(sql, anonymousCustomer);
		// or var rowsAffected = await connection.ExecuteAsync(sql, anonymousCustomer).ConfigureAwait(false);
		Console.WriteLine($"{rowsAffected} row(s) inserted.");
	}

	{
		// 3b. The second time, we will pass parameter values by providing the entity
		var customer = new Customer() { Name = "Learn Dapper", Email = "[email protected]" };

		var rowsAffected = await connection.ExecuteAsync(sql, customer);
		// or var rowsAffected = await connection.ExecuteAsync(sql, customer).ConfigureAwait(false);
		Console.WriteLine($"{rowsAffected} row(s) inserted.");
	}

	var insertedCustomers = connection.Query<Customer>("SELECT * FROM Customers").ToList();
}

Dapper Insert Multiple Rows

For inserting multiple rows in Dapper, you have to provide a list to the Execute or ExecuteAsync method instead of a single anonymous object or an entity.

NOTE: Passing a list doesn't insert rows in bulk. Every item will be inserted by using a single insert statement (similar to looping on your item list to call the Execute method)

In this example:

We will create a connection
We will create an INSERT SQL statement
Call the Execute method 3a. The first time, we will pass parameter values with a list of anonymous objects 3b. The second time, we will pass parameter values by providing a list of customers

// 1. We will create a connection
using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
	// 2. We will create an `INSERT` SQL statement
	var sql = "INSERT INTO Customers (Name, Email) VALUES (@Name, @Email)";

	// 3. Call the `Execute` method
	{
		// 3a. The first time, we will pass parameter values with a list of anonymous objects
		var anonymousCustomers = new List<object>() {
			new { Name = "ZZZ Projects", Email = "[email protected]" },
			new { Name = "Anonymous Object 2", Email = "[email protected]" },
			new { Name = "Anonymous Object 3", Email = "[email protected]" },
		};

		var rowsAffected = connection.Execute(sql, anonymousCustomers);
		Console.WriteLine($"{rowsAffected} row(s) inserted.");
	}

	{
		// 3b. The second time, we will pass parameter values by providing a list of customers
		var customers = new List<Customer>()
		{
			new Customer() { Name = "Learn Dapper", Email = "[email protected]" },
			new Customer() { Name = "Entity 2", Email = "[email protected]" },
			new Customer() { Name = "Entity 3", Email = "[email protected]" }
		};

		var rowsAffected = connection.Execute(sql, customers);
		Console.WriteLine($"{rowsAffected} row(s) inserted.");
	}

	var insertedCustomers = connection.Query<Customer>("SELECT * FROM Customers").ToList();

Dapper BulkInsert

For bulk inserting data in Dapper, the third-party library named Dapper Plus will be required.

You can read our tutorial on Bulk Inserting Data with Dapper

In this example using Dapper Plus:

We will create a connection
Call the BulkInsert method with a list of customers

// 1. We will create a connection
using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
	var customers = new List<Customer>()
		{
			new Customer() { Name = "Learn Dapper", Email = "[email protected]" },
			new Customer() { Name = "Entity 2", Email = "[email protected]" },
			new Customer() { Name = "Entity 3", Email = "[email protected]" }
		};

	// 2. Call the `BulkInsert` method with a list of customers
	connection.BulkInsert(customers);

	var insertedCustomers = connection.Query<Customer>("SELECT * FROM Customers").ToList();
}

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dapper provides a simple and easy-to-use method for inserting data with the Execute and ExecuteAsync methods. You write your INSERT SQL statement and provide either a single item or a list.

How to insert data in bulk in Dapper?

How to insert data and return the id in Dapper?

To insert data and return the ID, you have 2 choices:

Use the Execute method and select the identity inserted with SCOPE_IDENTITY()
Use Dapper Plus with the property mapped as identity or output

Solution 1

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
	var sql = @"
INSERT INTO Customers (Name, Email) VALUES (@Name, @Email)
SELECT SCOPE_IDENTITY()
";

	var customer = new Customer() { Name = "Learn Dapper", Email = "[email protected]" };

	var customerID = connection.ExecuteScalar<int>(sql, customer);
	customer.CustomerID = customerID;

	Console.WriteLine(customer.CustomerID);
}

Solution 2

// global context mapping: https://dapper-plus.net/getting-started-mapping#global-context-mapping
DapperPlusManager.Entity<Customer>().Identity(x => x.CustomerID);

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
	var customer = new Customer() { Name = "Learn Dapper", Email = "[email protected]" };

	connection.BulkInsert(customer);

	Console.WriteLine(customer.CustomerID);
}

How to insert data including the identity value in Dapper?

To insert data, including the identity value, you have 2 choices:

Use the Execute method and turn on the identity insert
Use Dapper Plus with the InsertKeepIdentity option

Solution 1

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
	var sql = @"
SET IDENTITY_INSERT Customers ON  

INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerID, Name, Email) VALUES (@CustomerID, @Name, @Email)
";

	var customer = new Customer() { CustomerID = 13, Name = "Learn Dapper", Email = "[email protected]" };

	connection.Execute(sql, customer);

	Console.WriteLine(customer.CustomerID);
}

Solution 2

// global context mapping: https://dapper-plus.net/getting-started-mapping#global-context-mapping
DapperPlusManager.Entity<Customer>().Identity(x => x.CustomerID);

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
	var customer = new Customer() { CustomerID = 13, Name = "Learn Dapper", Email = "[email protected]" };

	connection.UseBulkOptions(x => x.InsertKeepIdentity = true).BulkInsert(customer);

	Console.WriteLine(customer.CustomerID);
}

How to insert data using a list in Dapper?

To insert data using a list, you need to pass the list in a parameter instead of a single object to the Execute or ExecuteAsync method. However, inserting by providing a list doesn't perform a bulk insert. Instead, it simply iterates over every item to perform a single insert. See Inserting multiple rows for an example.

See the Bulk Inserting documentation if you want to insert the list in bulk.

How to insert data using a stored procedure in Dapper?

How to insert data using a transaction in Dapper?

How to insert data using if not exists in Dapper?

To insert data using "IF NOT EXISTS", you have 2 choices:

Use the Execute method and INSERT with a WHERE NOT EXISTS SQL statement
Use Dapper Plus with the InsertIfNotExists option

Solution 1

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(My.connectionString))
{
	var sql = @"
INSERT INTO Customers (Name, Email)
SELECT @Name, @Email
WHERE NOT EXISTS (SELECT 1 FROM Customers AS X
	  WHERE X.CustomerID = @CustomerID)
";

	var customer = new Customer() { CustomerID = 13, Name = "Learn Dapper", Email = "[email protected]" };

	connection.Execute(sql, customer);

	var insertedCustomers = connection.Query<Customer>("SELECT * FROM Customers").ToList();
}

Solution 2

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
	var customer = new Customer() { CustomerID = 13, Name = "Learn Dapper", Email = "[email protected]" };

	connection.UseBulkOptions(x => x.InsertIfNotExists = true).BulkInsert(customer);
	
	var insertedCustomers = connection.Query<Customer>("SELECT * FROM Customers").ToList();
}

How to insert data using C# in Dapper?

Here is an example of inserting data using C# syntax:

using (var connection = new SqlConnection(connectionString))
{
	var sql = "INSERT INTO Customers (Name, Email) VALUES (@Name, @Email)";

	var customer = new Customer() { Name = "Learn Dapper", Email = "[email protected]" };

	connection.Execute(sql, customer);
}

How to insert data using VB.NET in Dapper?

Here is an example of inserting data using VB.NET syntax:

Using connection As New SqlConnection(connectionString)
    Dim sql = "INSERT INTO Customers (Name, Email) VALUES (@Name, @Email)"
    
    Dim customer = New Customer() With { .Name = "Learn Dapper", .Email = "[email protected]" }
    
    connection.Execute(sql, customer)
End Using

Dapper Insert Async

Dapper Insert Multiple Rows

Dapper BulkInsert

Conclusion

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