Loading CSV files into SQL Server Database tables

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Loading CSV files into SQL Server Database tables

EMtwo

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December 11, 2016 at 2:36 pm

#316772

Does any one know of an open source tool that I can use to load data from csv files into sql server database tables? I am trying to load database into SQL Server 2012 Database tables. I do not have licence to SSIS. Any help will be appreciated.
I also want to automate the process....

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pietlinden SSC Guru Points: 63428 More actions · Answer 1

What version/edition of SQL Server are you running?

You could use PowerShell...

Tim Smith

Automating Flat File Imports Using Powershell[/url]

RTaylor2208 SSChampion Points: 13298 More actions · Answer 2

The bulk insert statement can be used within regular t-sql

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms188365.aspx

And the import \ export wizard can be used without a licensed install of SSIS, at least I am pretty sure it can be.

MCITP SQL 2005, MCSA SQL 2012

RTaylor2208 SSChampion Points: 13298 More actions · Answer 3

Also I forgot BCP:

https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms162802.aspx

MCITP SQL 2005, MCSA SQL 2012

John Mitchell-245523 SSC Guru Points: 148809 More actions · Answer 4

RTaylor2208 (12/12/2016)
And the import \ export wizard can be used without a licensed install of SSIS, at least I am pretty sure it can be.

Yes, but you may not be able to save the package file - I'm not sure. If you can't, you'd need to go through the wizard every time you wanted to load the data.

My question is this: why not run SSIS on the already licensed SQL Server 2012 server? Unless you're moving huge amounts of data or processing very complex transformations, you shouldn't notice any difference in performance.

John

Jeffrey Williams SSC Guru Points: 90252 More actions · Answer 5

SQL Server Data Tools is a freely available download for SQL Server - you don't need Integration Services to create and execute packages within the development tool.

You do need Integration Services installed on a server somewhere if you want to deploy those packages and automate the execution of those packages.

Note: if you have SQL Server installed you can add Integration Services on that server and it is covered under the same license. I would not do that on an OLTP production system but if you have a data warehouse system that is a very good place to install the service.

Jeffrey Williams
“We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.”

― Charles R. Swindoll

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Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1003863 More actions · Answer 6

As RTaylor2208 suggested and unless they're poorly formed, just use BULK INSERT to import CSV files. It's one of the fastest loaders there is for SQL Server. With just a little ingenuity, you can even load poorly formed files.

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
First step towards the paradigm shift of writing Set Based code:
________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

Change is inevitable... Change for the better is not.

Helpful Links:
How to post code problems
How to Post Performance Problems
Create a Tally Function (fnTally)

EMtwo Hall of Fame Points: 3498 More actions · Answer 7

Thank you all for your replies; definitely Bulk Insert.