Hi All ,
I have tried many times am getting syntax error on 'UNION'
can anybody tell me ...

INSERT INTO table1
(
Type
, num_items
, num_letters
, total_value
)
(select
type='1',
num_items,
num_letters=count(*),
total_value=sum(letter_value)
from
table2
where
num_items = 1
group by
num_items)
UNION
( select
type='2',
num_items,
num_letters=count(*),
total_value=sum(letter_value)
from
table2
where
num_items = 2
group by
num_items)
UNION
( select
type='3',
num_items,
num_letters=count(*),
total_value=sum(letter_value)
from
table2
where
num_items = 3
group by
num_items) ;

I don't think 'type=3' makes sense inside a select like that. I think you might be able to do '3 as type'.