The Import Wizard

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The Import Wizard

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

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November 5, 2014 at 9:32 pm

#312378

Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Import Wizard
November 6, 2014 at 1:27 am

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Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259105 More actions · Answer 1

I didn't notice at first why the import would fail. After all, 150 characters fit perfectly in a 200 character-wide column.

Then I remember the default for the flat file connection manager.

Great question!

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paul.knibbs SSCoach Points: 15320 More actions · Answer 2

Just took a blind guess at this one because I've never used the wizard--I'd import a flat file using BULK INSERT and then spend hours reading through the error tables trying to figure out why it didn't work! 🙂

TomThomson SSC Guru Points: 104773 More actions · Answer 3

Good question.

It raises an issue about the quality of this wizard: why on earth doesn't it read metadata for the target table and set lengths accordingly? It shouldn't be a permissions issue, because if I can write into a table I'd better be allowed to discover the column widths. So this wizard seems poorly thought out.

Tom

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259105 More actions · Answer 4

TomThomson (11/6/2014)
Good question.
It raises an issue about the quality of this wizard: why on earth doesn't it read metadata for the target table and set lengths accordingly? It shouldn't be a permissions issue, because if I can write into a table I'd better be allowed to discover the column widths. So this wizard seems poorly thought out.

There is such a feature in the Advanced section. There you can click a button and it will scan the flat file and determine the column widths.

Not exactly a great solution...

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My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

Umer Akram SSC-Insane Points: 22209 More actions · Answer 5

Nice question, it reminded me when i used this wizard 1st time for flat file :-).

Thanks for sharing.

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259105 More actions · Answer 6

twin.devil (11/6/2014)
Nice question, it reminded me when i used this wizard 1st time for flat file :-).
Thanks for sharing.

The problem is that only the wizard has this issue, but SSIS itself as well (because they use the same mechanisms behind the scenes). Annoying... 😀

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My blog at https://sqlkover.com.
MCSE Business Intelligence - Microsoft Data Platform MVP

Umer Akram SSC-Insane Points: 22209 More actions · Answer 7

Koen Verbeeck (11/6/2014)
twin.devil (11/6/2014)
Nice question, it reminded me when i used this wizard 1st time for flat file :-).
Thanks for sharing.
The problem is that only the wizard has this issue, but SSIS itself as well (because they use the same mechanisms behind the scenes). Annoying... 😀

it would be off topic but anyways, when i saved the wizard package 1st time, i found the existence of SSIS. 😀

so thanks for creating this wizard :hehe:

Gazareth One Orange Chip Points: 27737 More actions · Answer 8

TomThomson (11/6/2014)
Good question.
It raises an issue about the quality of this wizard: why on earth doesn't it read metadata for the target table and set lengths accordingly? It shouldn't be a permissions issue, because if I can write into a table I'd better be allowed to discover the column widths. So this wizard seems poorly thought out.

I agree. I wonder if it's to minimise memory used to help speed up the import.

The target is selected after the source is defined but I can't think of a reason why it couldn't recalculate the metadata once the target is selected.

Nice Q Steve, had to read it a few times before the lightbulb illuminated!

SqlMel SSCrazy Points: 2901 More actions · Answer 9

+1

Thanks for the question.

---------------
Mel. 😎

dlaughlin 24148 Old Hand Points: 355 More actions · Answer 10

Koen Verbeeck (11/6/2014)
I didn't notice at first why the import would fail. After all, 150 characters fit perfectly in a 200 character-wide column.
Then I remember the default for the flat file connection manager.
Great question!

Same here. I had to read it through a couple times.

stephen.long.1 SSCrazy Points: 2582 More actions · Answer 11

TomThomson (11/6/2014)
Good question.
It raises an issue about the quality of this wizard: why on earth doesn't it read metadata for the target table and set lengths accordingly? It shouldn't be a permissions issue, because if I can write into a table I'd better be allowed to discover the column widths. So this wizard seems poorly thought out.

Good point, Tom. I agree, it should work that way. That sounds like a good idea for a Microsoft Connect suggestion.

Nice question, Steve. Thanks.

SQLRNNR SSC Guru Points: 281334 More actions · Answer 12

Koen Verbeeck (11/6/2014)
I didn't notice at first why the import would fail. After all, 150 characters fit perfectly in a 200 character-wide column.
Then I remember the default for the flat file connection manager.
Great question!

+1

Jason...AKA CirqueDeSQLeil
_______________________________________________
I have given a name to my pain...MCM SQL Server, MVP
SQL RNNR
Posting Performance Based Questions - Gail Shaw[/url]
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Miles Neale SSChampion Points: 13147 More actions · Answer 13

Excellent question, I do not use ssis for flat files much so I was one who learned something about this today.

Not all gray hairs are Dinosaurs!