---
title: "Bulk Insert to an External Database"
slug: "bulk-insert-to-step"
updated: 2026-07-02T20:32:37Z
published: 2026-07-02T20:32:37Z
canonical: "documentation.decisions.com/bulk-insert-to-step"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documentation.decisions.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Bulk Insert to an External Database

## Overview

For an [**External Database Integration**](/version-10/docs/insert-update-delete-steps-integration-database)**,** multiple entities can be added to a table using the **Bulk** **Insert** **to [Database Table Name]** step.

This step operates similarly to a [Batch Insert step](/version-10/docs/batch-insert-step), in that it allows users to add multiple instances of a specific **DataType** that are either mapped from another source or mapped directly on the step via **Constant** mapping, to a **Database**.

However, this step can only be used to insert to a specific External Database Table with the **Insert** **Property** enabled on it. The following document demonstrates how to enable this property and how to use the **Bulk Insert** step to update an External Database Table via **Flow**.

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## Enabling Insert

To use the **Bulk** **Insert** step for a specific **External** **Database** **Table**, the **Insert** **Property** must first be enabled for the **Table**. To do so either enable it from the **Define** **Flow** **Steps** window upon adding the [**Table** **Integration**](/version-10/docs/integrate-with-database-table) or:

1. From the Decisions Studio, navigate to **System > Integrations > Databases [NAME OF DATABASE]**.
2. Right-click the desired **Table**, then click **Edit Table**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1783024332439.png)
3. Click NEXT through each window until the **Define** **Flow** **Steps** window appears.
4. Under Define Flow Steps, check the **Insert** **Boolean**.
5. Click SAVE to save the changes and close the window.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1783024350044.png)

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## Example

The following example demonstrates using the **Bulk** **Insert** step to add entities (in this case **Accounts**) to a connected **Postgres** **Database**:

1. From a **Designer** **Project**, [create or update an existing Flow](/version-10/docs/create-flows).
2. From the Flow Designer, in the Toolbox tab, navigate to **Integration > DATABASE > [NAME OF DATABASE] > [NAME OF DATABASE TABLE]**, and attach a **Bulk insert to [Database Name]** step to the workspace. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1779114988192.png)
3. Connect the step to the **Start** and **End** steps.
4. From the **Properties** tab of the **Bulk** **Insert** **to** step, under **INPUTS > Inserted Objects** define the items which will be added to the Table. In this case, mapping was set to **Constant,** and values were manually added.  
  
If a list of entities needs to be passed as inputs to the step, they must use the datatype generated for the Table, which can be found under the **Inputs** section in the **P****roperties** panel. In this case, it is **LOCALCONNECTION_account_folder_access_rights.** ![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1779115090923.png)
5. **Save** the Flow, then **Debug.** If the inputs are valid, the Flow will travel down the **Inserted** path and the Table will be updated.![](https://cdn.document360.io/6ef8bcc1-6489-4486-9ad1-83acff7e5df0/Images/Documentation/image-1779115183817.png)