tool to import csv/xls

[mcnewsxp]

is there a smart tool for importing CSV amd XLS files into tables? i need something that non-programmers can use. when CSV files do not have quotes surrounding string a comma can't gum up the works. excel messes up what it thinks is numeric data. i would like something that would simply import everything into varchars.
tia,
mcnewsxp

[Erland Sommarskog]

Post by mcnewsxp
is there a smart tool for importing CSV amd XLS files into tables? i
need something that non-programmers can use. when CSV files do not have
quotes surrounding string a comma can't gum up the works. excel messes
up what it thinks is numeric data. i would like something that would
simply import everything into varchars.

There is the Import/Export wizard in SSMS might be what you are looking for.
But CSV files with unquoted data and comma in the data is a lost case.

[mcnewsxp]

Post by Erland Sommarskog

Post by mcnewsxp
is there a smart tool for importing CSV amd XLS files into tables? i
need something that non-programmers can use. when CSV files do not have
quotes surrounding string a comma can't gum up the works. excel messes
up what it thinks is numeric data. i would like something that would
simply import everything into varchars.

There is the Import/Export wizard in SSMS might be what you are looking for.
But CSV files with unquoted data and comma in the data is a lost case.
--
SQL 2008: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/cc514207.aspx
SQL 2005: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/sqlserver/bb895970.aspx

i've been using the import wizard in SSMS... this data also has fields that contain carriage returns. can't get the dang things in.

[Erland Sommarskog]

Post by mcnewsxp
i've been using the import wizard in SSMS... this data also has fields
that contain carriage returns. can't get the dang things in.

I've only used the wizard occassionaly, so I can speak to it. But from
what you say, it seems to be that kind of tool you need. There might be
third-party tools, but it's not a market I'm versed in.

[mcnewsxp]

Post by Erland Sommarskog

Post by mcnewsxp
i've been using the import wizard in SSMS... this data also has fields
that contain carriage returns. can't get the dang things in.

I've only used the wizard occassionaly, so I can speak to it. But from
what you say, it seems to be that kind of tool you need. There might be
third-party tools, but it's not a market I'm versed in.

there are many - but they ain't cheap. it's all about datamigration.

but i fixed my problem by having the user export a txt file rather than a csv file. the wizrad does a great job figuring out what to do with that type of file.