Bulk Insert CSV into SQL Server

Alexander454

This discussion will cover how to use the Bulk Insert command in SQL Server to quickly and efficiently insert large amounts of data from a CSV file into a table. We will discuss the various options available with the Bulk Insert command, as well as how to use it safely and securely. We will also discuss how to troubleshoot any errors that may arise while using this command.

rare

Bulk inserting a CSV file in SQL Server can be a quick and efficient method of inserting large amounts of data into a table. Here's how you can do it:

Step 1: Prepare your CSV file
Make sure your CSV file is properly formatted with headers that match the column names in the table you're inserting into. Ensure that the data format complies with any constraints or data types of the table. Save the file in a location that the SQL Server can access.

Step 2: Create a destination table
Create a table in the SQL Server database to hold the imported data. The table should have the same schema as the CSV file you're importing, with matching column names and data types.

Step 3: Use the BULK INSERT command
To bulk insert a CSV file, use the BULK INSERT command. The basic syntax is as follows:

BULK INSERT [table_name] FROM [file_path]
WITH (FIELDTERMINATOR = ',', ROWTERMINATOR = '\n');

The "table_name" parameter is the name of the destination table, and the "file_path" parameter is the full path of the CSV file you're importing. The FIELDTERMINATOR option specifies the character that separates fields in the CSV file (in this case, a comma), and the ROWTERMINATOR option specifies the character that separates rows (in this case, a newline).

You can also add additional options to the WITH clause, such as:

FIRSTROW: Specifies the first row to import
MAXERRORS: Specifies the maximum number of errors to allow before terminating the import
TABLOCK: Specifies that a table-level lock is acquired for the duration of the bulk-import operation

Step 4: Review and test the results
Once the bulk import is complete, review the results to ensure that the data has been successfully imported. You can query the destination table and compare it to the original CSV file to ensure that all the data has been correctly imported.

In conclusion, to bulk insert a CSV file into SQL Server, you should prepare the CSV file, create a destination table in the database, use the BULK INSERT command with the appropriate options, and review your results. This is a great way to quickly import large amounts of data into SQL Server.

harvey_sanders

Bulk inserting a CSV file in SQL Server is a useful technique for efficiently transferring large amounts of data into tables. Here's a detailed step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Prepare your CSV file
Make sure your CSV file is formatted correctly with its columns matching the target table's columns. Ensure that the file does not contain any extra spaces, tabs, or empty lines.

Step 2: Create a temporary table
Create a temporary table with the same column definitions as your target table. This table will be used to store the CSV data temporarily before inserting it into the target table.

Step 3: Set up the bulk insert command
Use the BULK INSERT command to import your CSV file. The following options must be specified for the command:

• The name of the temporary table where the data will be stored
• The path and file name of the CSV file to be imported
• The field and row terminators used in the CSV file
• The column mappings between the CSV file and the temporary table

Step 4: Execute the bulk insert command
Run the BULK INSERT command to import the CSV data into the temporary table.

Step 5: Merge the temporary and target tables
Use the MERGE statement to merge the data from the temporary table into the target table. This step allows you to update or insert new rows in the target table as needed.

Step 6: Clean up
Once the data has been inserted and merged, drop or truncate the temporary table to avoid cluttering the database.

Here is an example of a BULK INSERT command to import a CSV file with the following specifications:

• The file is located at C:\CSVfiles\mycsvfile.csv
• The field terminator is a comma (,)
• The row terminator is a line break (\n)
• The target table is called MyTable
• The temporary table is named #tmpTable

BULK INSERT #tmpTable
FROM 'C:\CSVfiles\mycsvfile.csv'
WITH (FIELDTERMINATOR = ',', ROWTERMINATOR = '\n')

Once data is imported into a temporary table, it can be manipulated and cleansed as necessary. Finally, data from the temporary table can be braided into the target table, and the temporary table can be dropped.