Insert random data from one column to a column in another table

Question

I'm wanting to insert random data from one field into another. I'm unsure of the syntax for this completely, So I'm thinking

icdtbl.icd_id = primary key icdjxn.icd_id = foreign key

 insert into icdjxn (icd_id,patiendID) select top 5000 icd_id from icdtbl order by newid(),select top 5000 patientID from patientTbl order by newid()

edited for the entirety of what i was looking for.

There is no way in SQL (aside from maybe using a cursor?) to select random data. All queries execute deterministically given the same dataset — ControlAltDel
– ControlAltDel, Commented May 16, 2012 at 16:53
if you order by newid() it will give you a random subset of a table. These do not need to be unique and preferably will not be. — wootscootinboogie
– wootscootinboogie, Commented May 16, 2012 at 16:56

HLGEM · Accepted Answer · 2012-05-16 16:56:56Z

2

insert into icdjxn (icd_id) select top 5000 icd_id from icdtbl order by newid()

You don't use the word values when using a select.

answered May 16, 2012 at 16:56

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1 Comment

could you use this same logic insert two random pieces of data at the same time? (the other side of this junction table)