# SQL Server: UPSERT Without MERGE

> Insert new rows and update existing rows safely without using MERGE.

- URL: https://webdevrock.uk/snippets/sql-upsert-without-merge/
- Tags: sql, sql-server, upsert, data-fix
- Updated: 2026-02-16
- Requires: SQL Server 2008+

## Problem

You need to insert new records and update existing ones from a staging table. The `MERGE` statement can introduce unexpected behaviour and locking issues in some environments.

## Solution

Split the operation into an UPDATE followed by an INSERT.

```sql
-- Update existing rows
UPDATE t
SET t.some_column = s.some_column
FROM target_table t
JOIN staging_table s ON s.id = t.id;

-- Insert new rows
INSERT INTO target_table (id, some_column)
SELECT s.id, s.some_column
FROM staging_table s
LEFT JOIN target_table t ON t.id = s.id
WHERE t.id IS NULL;
```

[Load rows pasted from a spreadsheet into a #temp table to use as the staging table, in List to SQL](https://webdevrock.uk/tools/list-to-sql/)

## Notes

- Easier to reason about than MERGE.
- Avoids known MERGE edge cases in SQL Server.
- Allows different validation logic for updates vs inserts.
- Often performs better for large batches.