“Cannot insert explicit value for identity column in table 'Movies' when IDENTITY_INSERT is set to OFF.”

Question

I\'m using code first with entity framework. I have been getting the error below and can\'t figure out how to fix it:

\"Cannot insert explicit value for identity col

Answer 1

You have to first turn it ON, then do your insert and then turn it OFF

Sql("SET IDENTITY_INSERT Genres ON");

Sql("INSERT INTO Genres (Id, Name) VALUES (1, 'Action')");
Sql("INSERT INTO Genres (Id, Name) VALUES (2, 'Thriller')");
Sql("INSERT INTO Genres (Id, Name) VALUES (3, 'Family')");
Sql("INSERT INTO Genres (Id, Name) VALUES (4, 'Romance')");
Sql("INSERT INTO Genres (Id, Name) VALUES (5, 'Comedy')");

Sql("SET IDENTITY_INSERT Genres OFF");

But, the point of having an identity column is that we don't choose what values the identity holds (read up on surrogate keys). In that case, you just remove the ID column from your insert

Sql("INSERT INTO Genres (Name) VALUES ('Action')");
Sql("INSERT INTO Genres (Name) VALUES ('Thriller')");
Sql("INSERT INTO Genres (Name) VALUES ('Family')");
Sql("INSERT INTO Genres (Name) VALUES ('Romance')");
Sql("INSERT INTO Genres (Name) VALUES ('Comedy')");