Skip to main content
St Louis

Back to all posts

How to Make an Update Between Two Tables In Postgresql?

Published on
4 min read
How to Make an Update Between Two Tables In Postgresql? image

Best PostgreSQL Update Tools to Buy in November 2025

1 PostgreSQL: A Practical Guide for Developers and Data Professionals

PostgreSQL: A Practical Guide for Developers and Data Professionals

BUY & SAVE
$5.99
PostgreSQL: A Practical Guide for Developers and Data Professionals
2 Procedural Programming with PostgreSQL PL/pgSQL: Design Complex Database-Centric Applications with PL/pgSQL

Procedural Programming with PostgreSQL PL/pgSQL: Design Complex Database-Centric Applications with PL/pgSQL

BUY & SAVE
$46.40
Procedural Programming with PostgreSQL PL/pgSQL: Design Complex Database-Centric Applications with PL/pgSQL
3 Beginning PHP and PostgreSQL 8: From Novice to Professional (Beginning: From Novice to Professional)

Beginning PHP and PostgreSQL 8: From Novice to Professional (Beginning: From Novice to Professional)

  • AFFORDABLE PRICES FOR QUALITY USED BOOKS-SAVE MONEY TODAY!
  • THOROUGHLY INSPECTED FOR QUALITY: ENJOY GREAT READS WITHOUT WORRY.
  • ECO-FRIENDLY CHOICE: PROMOTE SUSTAINABILITY WITH EVERY PURCHASE!
BUY & SAVE
$35.25 $49.99
Save 29%
Beginning PHP and PostgreSQL 8: From Novice to Professional (Beginning: From Novice to Professional)
4 Full-Stack Web Development with TypeScript 5: Craft modern full-stack projects with Bun, PostgreSQL, Svelte, TypeScript, and OpenAI

Full-Stack Web Development with TypeScript 5: Craft modern full-stack projects with Bun, PostgreSQL, Svelte, TypeScript, and OpenAI

BUY & SAVE
$36.26
Full-Stack Web Development with TypeScript 5: Craft modern full-stack projects with Bun, PostgreSQL, Svelte, TypeScript, and OpenAI
5 PostgreSQL for Python Web Development with Flask: A Practical Guide to Building Database-Driven Web Applications

PostgreSQL for Python Web Development with Flask: A Practical Guide to Building Database-Driven Web Applications

BUY & SAVE
$7.99
PostgreSQL for Python Web Development with Flask: A Practical Guide to Building Database-Driven Web Applications
6 Beginning PostgreSQL on the Cloud: Simplifying Database as a Service on Cloud Platforms

Beginning PostgreSQL on the Cloud: Simplifying Database as a Service on Cloud Platforms

BUY & SAVE
$42.17
Beginning PostgreSQL on the Cloud: Simplifying Database as a Service on Cloud Platforms
7 groword T-post Clips Tool 2025 New, Fixing Fence Clip and Wire Steel Bender T-post Handheld Twisting Tool, Multi Functional Bender

groword T-post Clips Tool 2025 New, Fixing Fence Clip and Wire Steel Bender T-post Handheld Twisting Tool, Multi Functional Bender

  • QUICKLY INSTALL T-POST CLIPS WITH MINIMAL EFFORT
  • DURABLE STEEL CONSTRUCTION FOR LONG-LASTING USE
  • COMFORT GRIP DESIGN PREVENTS SLIPPAGE AND HAND FATIGUE
BUY & SAVE
$16.99
groword T-post Clips Tool 2025 New, Fixing Fence Clip and Wire Steel Bender T-post Handheld Twisting Tool, Multi Functional Bender
+
ONE MORE?

To update data between two tables in PostgreSQL, you can use the UPDATE command with a JOIN clause. This allows you to update records in one table based on matches with another table. First, you need to specify the two tables you want to update from and join them using a common column. Then, you can set the columns and values you want to update in the target table using the SET keyword. Finally, you can add a WHERE clause to specify the conditions for the update. Make sure to test your query before running it to ensure it updates the correct records in both tables.

What is the difference between a direct update and a cascaded update in PostgreSQL?

In PostgreSQL, a direct update means updating a single table directly using a single UPDATE statement. This means that only the rows in the specified table will be updated based on the conditions provided in the UPDATE statement.

On the other hand, a cascaded update refers to updating multiple tables in a database at the same time where the changes in one table trigger updates in related tables. This is achieved using foreign key constraints with ON UPDATE CASCADE option, which automatically updates the related tables when a row is updated in the primary table.

In summary, a direct update updates a single table directly while a cascaded update updates multiple related tables simultaneously based on foreign key constraints.

What is the difference between UPDATE and MERGE in PostgreSQL?

In PostgreSQL, UPDATE is used to modify existing rows in a table based on specific conditions, while MERGE is used to perform a combination of INSERT, UPDATE, and DELETE operations based on certain conditions in a single statement.

UPDATE statement is commonly used to modify existing rows in a table by changing the values of specific columns, while MERGE statement allows you to update existing rows if they match certain conditions, insert new rows if they do not exist, and delete rows that meet particular criteria in a single statement.

UPDATE statement is more straightforward and is used when you only need to update existing rows, while MERGE statement is more complex and versatile, allowing you to combine multiple operations in a single statement.

How to update multiple columns in a table based on another table in PostgreSQL?

In PostgreSQL, you can update multiple columns in a table based on another table using an UPDATE statement with a FROM clause. Here is an example of how you can do this:

UPDATE table1 SET column1 = table2.column1, column2 = table2.column2 FROM table2 WHERE table1.id = table2.id;

In this example, table1 is the table that you want to update, and table2 is the table that contains the values you want to update table1 with. You can specify the columns and conditions for the update in the SET and WHERE clauses respectively.

Make sure to replace table1, table2, column1, column2, and id with the actual names of your tables, columns, and the key column you want to use for the join condition.

Please note that both tables should have a common key column (e.g., id in this example) that you can use to link the rows from both tables.

How to update data in a table based on a comparison with another table in PostgreSQL?

You can update data in a table based on a comparison with another table in PostgreSQL by using a subquery in the UPDATE statement. Here's an example:

Let's say you have two tables - table1 and table2. You want to update the 'column_to_update' in table1 based on a comparison with 'matching_column' in table2.

UPDATE table1 SET column_to_update = new_value WHERE column_to_update = (SELECT matching_column FROM table2);

In this query:

  • 'table1' is the table you want to update.
  • 'column_to_update' is the column you want to update in table1.
  • 'new_value' is the value you want to set in the 'column_to_update'.
  • 'matching_column' is the column in table2 that you want to compare with 'column_to_update'.
  • 'table2' is the table you are comparing with.

Make sure that the subquery returns only one value, otherwise the query will throw an error. Also, don't forget to set a WHERE condition to filter the rows that you want to update.