Question : SQL CE Insert If Data Doesn't Exist

Hello Experts,

I'm writing a C# application and using SQL Server Compact Edition as a local database, as I'm unable to write stored procedures for it (I'm assuming that's correct!) I need to somehow write a query that will insert data, but only if it doesn't currently exist in the table.

I have a query that goes:
string insert = "INSERT INTO myTable (Column1, Column2, Column3) VALUES (Data1, Data2, Data3)

I tried putting WHERE NOT EXISTS(SELECT * FROM myTable WHERE Column1 = Data1), but I get the following error:
There was an error parsing the query. [ Token line number = 1,Token line offset = 399,Token in error = WHERE ]

What is the correct way to only insert if the data doesn't currently exist?

Answer : SQL CE Insert If Data Doesn't Exist

instead of the insert into (...) values(...)

format

 use

INSERT INTO myTable (Column1, Column2, Column3)
  select @var1,@var2,@var3
WHERE NOT EXISTS (SELECT * FROM myTable WHERE Column1 = @var1)

you don't need a from clause...