SSIS 2008, pipe-delimited files, and "OutpoutColumWidth" = 50

  • I received a pipe-delimited file that I need to import. (It has the equivalent of 650+ fields on a single row). While I had no issue importing it (SSIS 2008) I noticed later that the input connector, Advanced option, shows an "OutputColumnWidth" of only 50 for all fields. I say only 50 because some of the pipe-delimited fields can supposedly have a max of 250 characters. I'm concerned about potential data truncation. Unless someone has another thought I plan to manually set those OutputColumnWidth fields to 250 (arrrgh!)

    TIA,

    bd

  • SSIS always understands OutputColumnWidth = 50 by default. You can absolutely adjust the value manually. But you must notice that a data page of SQL Server only allows to store 8000 bytes for data. If you data exceeds this length, maybe you will get error in loading data.

    In case, you don want Truncation issue to stop your SSIS package, you can set Ignore Failure at Error Output section of Flat File Source of Data Flow.

    Thanks,

  • Indeed the 8060 byte row limitation is a reality but regarding the SSIS default of 50 I would need to manually updated hundreds of fields in SSIS to correct their assumption. SSIS does not appear to offer a practical solution when a table has a large number of fields. For that reason I am inclined to do the import using a VS.NET program.

    bd

  • Hi

    If a destination table already exists, you can do it via Bulk Insert Task.

    Br.

    Mike

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