# UPDATE

A statement that changes values in existing rows.

## What does **UPDATE** do in a relational database?

**UPDATE** — A statement that changes values in existing rows.

```sql
UPDATE customer
SET status = 'inactive'
WHERE customer_id = 1;
```

Level: Apprentice · [More Database terms at this level](https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/subjects/database/apprentice)

Updated: September 27, 2026

Source: https://www.ask-codey.com/glossary/update