MySQL LAST_INSERT_ID() Function

The LAST_INSERT_ID() function in MySQL is used to retrieve the AUTO_INCREMENT value of the last row that was inserted or updated in a table.

Syntax

LAST_INSERT_ID()

LAST_INSERT_ID(expression)

Parameter Values

expression: (Optional) An expression to update the value of the last inserted ID.

Definition and Usage

The function returns the AUTO_INCREMENT value of the most recent insert or update performed on a table in the current session.
It is especially useful when you need to know the ID of a row that has just been inserted into a table with an AUTO_INCREMENT column.

Technical Details

Works in: From MySQL 4.0

Examples

Example 1: Get the last inserted ID

After inserting a row into a table, you can use the LAST_INSERT_ID() function to retrieve the AUTO_INCREMENT value generated for that row.

-- Insert a row into a table
INSERT INTO Customers (CustomerName, ContactName)
VALUES ('John Doe', 'John');

-- Get the last inserted ID
SELECT LAST_INSERT_ID();

Example Output:

This will return the AUTO_INCREMENT value (in this case, 1) of the row that was inserted into the Customers table.

Example 2: Use with `UPDATE`

You can also use LAST_INSERT_ID() to get the last inserted or updated AUTO_INCREMENT value, even after an UPDATE.

-- Update the row and retrieve the last inserted ID
UPDATE Customers
SET ContactName = 'Jane Doe'
WHERE CustomerID = 1;

SELECT LAST_INSERT_ID();