my $med1="Award Number 1"; my $med2="Award Number 2"; my $med3="Award Number 3"; my %medals=( "$med1"=>"$me1", "$med2"=>"$me2", "$med3"=>"$me3", my $table="table"; my $state="INSERT INTO ".$table." (uid,mid,qty) VALUES (LAST_INSERT_ID(),?,?)"; foreach (keys%medals){ if($medals{$_}>0){ my $sth=$dbh->prepare($state); $sth->execute ($_ ,$medals{$_}); } }