sql server - SQL Insert Into Where Record Not Exists -

i have automated process appends data table1 every week. has 4 columns [reason, number of occurences, sent date, , program]. table1 keeps growing , not care duplicate records. (there 26 records each week , 4 columns performance/space not issue)

i have table table2 want distinct records table1. if record exists in table 2 not want insert record. thought below statement work, not:

begin transaction insert [database]..[table2] select distinct * [database]..[table1] not exists (select * [database]..[table2])  (0 row(s) affected) 

if comment out clause, work, insert records exist in table2

begin transaction     insert [database]..[table2]     select distinct * [database]..[table1]     --where not exists (select * [database]..[table2])  (83 row(s) affected) 

how check distinct records in table1 , if record not exist in table2, insert record?

i using ms sql server version 11.0.6020.0

in sql server, use except. assuming tables have same columns:

insert [database]..[table2]     select distinct t1.*     [database]..[table1] t1     except     select t2.*     [database]..[table2] t2; 

your not exists clause not correlated data in table1, not doing expect.