In Django, inserting data into the database is straightforward, thanks to its powerful Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) system. Once you’ve defined your models, you can insert (or “create”) data either via:

• Python code (using the shell or scripts)

• Django views (handling user input from forms or APIs)

• Django Admin interface

• Custom management commands

This article focuses on inserting data using Django Models directly, including:

• Basic object creation

• Bulk creation

• Using forms or user input

• Validations and constraints

• Tips and common pitfalls

Pre-requisite: A Django Model

Let’s assume you already have a Django model like this:

# blog/models.py

from django.db import models

class Category(models.Model):
    name = models.CharField(max_length=100)

    def __str__(self):
        return self.name

class Post(models.Model):
    title = models.CharField(max_length=200)
    content = models.TextField()
    published = models.BooleanField(default=False)
    category = models.ForeignKey(Category, on_delete=models.CASCADE)
    created_at = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)

✅ Method 1: Insert Data via Django Shell

Django shell is an interactive Python shell with Django context loaded.

Step 1: Open the shell

python manage.py shell

Step 2: Insert Data

from blog.models import Post, Category

# Create a category
cat = Category.objects.create(name="Django")

# Create a post
post = Post.objects.create(
    title="Getting Started with Django",
    content="Django makes web development fast and easy.",
    category=cat,
    published=True
)

Step 3: View the inserted data

Post.objects.all()

✅ Method 2: Insert Data via save()

This method gives more control and allows intermediate logic:

cat = Category(name="Python")
cat.save()

post = Post(
    title="Python Tips",
    content="Use list comprehensions!",
    category=cat,
    published=False
)
post.save()

✅ Method 3: Bulk Insert

Bulk creation is efficient when you need to insert many objects at once.

categories = [
    Category(name="Web Dev"),
    Category(name="AI"),
    Category(name="APIs")
]

Category.objects.bulk_create(categories)

⚠️ Note: bulk_create does not call save() or trigger signals.

✅ Method 4: Insert Data from Views (User Input)

You can insert data via form submissions or APIs in your views.

# blog/views.py

from django.shortcuts import render
from .models import Post, Category

def create_post(request):
    if request.method == "POST":
        title = request.POST['title']
        content = request.POST['content']
        category_id = request.POST['category']
        category = Category.objects.get(id=category_id)

        Post.objects.create(
            title=title,
            content=content,
            category=category,
            published=False
        )
        return render(request, 'success.html')
    return render(request, 'create_post.html')

✅ Method 5: Insert Using Django Admin

Django Admin automatically allows you to insert data if your model is registered:

# blog/admin.py

from django.contrib import admin
from .models import Post, Category

admin.site.register(Post)
admin.site.register(Category)

Go to /admin/, login, and use the forms to insert data.

Full Working Example

models.py

from django.db import models

class Category(models.Model):
    name = models.CharField(max_length=100)

    def __str__(self):
        return self.name

class Post(models.Model):
    title = models.CharField(max_length=200)
    content = models.TextField()
    published = models.BooleanField(default=False)
    category = models.ForeignKey(Category, on_delete=models.CASCADE)
    created_at = models.DateTimeField(auto_now_add=True)

    def __str__(self):
        return self.title

Sample Script to Insert Data

# scripts/insert_data.py (run with Django shell)

from blog.models import Post, Category

cat, _ = Category.objects.get_or_create(name="Tutorial")

Post.objects.create(
    title="Insert Data into Django Models",
    content="Learn how to insert data using Django ORM.",
    category=cat,
    published=True
)

✅ Tips for Inserting Data in Django

⚠️ Common Pitfalls

Conclusion

Django provides a clean and Pythonic way to insert data into the database using models. Whether through the shell, views, admin, or scripts, Django models keep your data layer simple, structured, and consistent.

Mastering data insertion using models is crucial for building dynamic and data-driven Django applications.