How to Convert CSV to PostgreSQL INSERT Statements

PostgreSQL can import CSV efficiently with COPY, but sometimes you need a portable SQL script instead.

For seed data, test fixtures, migrations, or small one-off imports, the SQLiz CSV to SQL Converter can turn CSV data into PostgreSQL CREATE TABLE and INSERT statements.

Everything is generated in your browser.

Example CSV

Input:

id,name,active,joined_at
1,Ada,true,2026-01-15
2,Grace,true,2025-11-03
3,Alan,false,2024-09-18

A PostgreSQL result can look like:

CREATE TABLE users (
  id INTEGER,
  name TEXT,
  active BOOLEAN,
  joined_at DATE
);

INSERT INTO users (
  id,
  name,
  active,
  joined_at
)
VALUES
  (1, 'Ada', TRUE, '2026-01-15'),
  (2, 'Grace', TRUE, '2025-11-03'),
  (3, 'Alan', FALSE, '2024-09-18');

Convert CSV for PostgreSQL

Open the CSV to SQL Converter and choose PostgreSQL.

Then:

1. paste CSV/TSV text or choose a local file
2. confirm the delimiter
3. enter the table name
4. review inferred data types
5. choose NULL handling
6. generate SQL
7. copy or download the script

The source CSV is not uploaded to SQLiz.

PostgreSQL type inference

A CSV file contains values but no database schema.

The converter examines columns and maps them to PostgreSQL-oriented types such as:

• INTEGER
• BIGINT
• NUMERIC
• BOOLEAN
• DATE
• TIMESTAMP
• TEXT

Always review generated DDL before running it against a production database.

NULL handling

PostgreSQL distinguishes SQL NULL from an empty string.

If the CSV contains an empty field, decide whether it means:

• unknown/missing value → NULL
• intentionally empty text → ''

That decision can affect constraints, joins, indexes, and application logic.

INSERT versus COPY

PostgreSQL COPY is generally the better choice for very large imports:

COPY users
FROM '/path/users.csv'
WITH (FORMAT csv, HEADER true);

But COPY requires access to the file in the appropriate environment and may not fit every hosted workflow.

Generated INSERT statements are useful when you need a self-contained SQL artifact that can be reviewed or committed to source control.

Batch the INSERT statements

PostgreSQL supports multiple rows in one INSERT:

INSERT INTO users (id, name)
VALUES
  (1, 'Ada'),
  (2, 'Grace'),
  (3, 'Alan');

Batching reduces script size and statement overhead.

For a broader comparison, see SQL Bulk and Batch Insert by Database.

Format the generated SQL

Use the PostgreSQL SQL Formatter if you want to normalize the generated script before reviewing it.

For the cross-database workflow, see How to Convert CSV to SQL INSERT Statements.