Importing CSV Data into a SQL Server 2005 Database

I need to import csv data into a SQL Server 2005 database using SQL Server Management Studio Express. I can't find any menu options for accomplishing this. Is this a limitation of the Express edition, or am I missing something when I try to find this feature?

Thanks for any help provided.

You are missing DTS which comes with service pack 1 the thread below covers how to get it, and a CVS file is comma delimited so SQL Server sees null values so you have to import into a temp table before the destination if you have primary key defined in the destination table. Hope this helps.

http://forums.asp.net/thread/1407898.aspx

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Caddre: Thanks for the info. I obtained Service Pack 1 and located DTS. As I run the wizard, it looks like it is set up primarily to transfer data between databases or tables, rather than importing from csv. The only way that I see for importing from csv is to write a sql query. Is there a more direct way using the Import/Export Wizard? Or will I have to write a SQL query?

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That cannot be it is a smaller version of a billion dollar ETL(extraction transformation and loading) tool even the previous version can do it, so the link below shows you the steps with the 2000 version. It is not complicated just choose a temp table first or a table without primary key. Hope this helps.

http://www.sqldts.com/default.aspx?276,4

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The screen capture images from the link you provided look very different from what I am seeing. I did download my version as described in the other thread and the filename/path matched. I captured some screen images that show what I am seeing. Here is the URL:

http://www.vagarden.com/importwizard.html

I can see how the program shown that you linked to would do the job for me, if I can get it.

Thanks for your help.

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I have been searching the Internet for a downloadable version of DTS without any luck.

Since it was not provided with the Express version of SQL Server 2005, I wonder if it is part of the full (Pro) version?

If not, does anyone know where DTS can be obtained?

If not, is it possible to write a sql query that would insert data to a MS SQL Server table from a csv file? If so, what might the query look like?

Thank for any help that can be provided.

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Hi sorry,

There is a single query way with the OPENROWSET function but I was hoping to get you the DTS info so I forgot about this function. Try the link below for details. Hope this helps.

http://www.databasejournal.com/features/mssql/article.php/3584751

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Caddre, thanks for the info. This should work for my project.