Want to bulk import TSV files into SQL Server tables at one time?
Try Withdata FileToDB, a desktop TSV to SQL Server converter for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, Convert TSV to SQL Server, Easy and Fast.
- Can run in GUI mode, Step by Step, just a few mouse clicks.
- Can run in Command line, for Scheduled Tasks and Streams.
- Convert locally and privately, avoid uploading large or private TSV files to online services.
- Support Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Bulk import TSV files into SQL Server tables
Login to SQL Server -> Choose TSV files -> Set SQL Server tables -> Import TSV files to SQL Server tables
Choose SQL Server and logon.
Click “Wizard – N Files To N Tables” at task dialog.
Select the “TSV” file type.
then show the wizard.
1. Select a folder that constains TSV files.
Support large ( > 4GB ) TSV files.
2. Config first TSV file importing options.
3. Set “Import Type”.
4. Map SQL Server tables to TSV files.
5. Summary. Set “Convert Rows” and “Skip Rows” if need.
6. Import TSV files to SQL Server tables, 1 file to 1 table, one by one.
View imported data in SQL Server table
Bulk import TSV files into SQL Server tables in command line
Save “bulk TSV files to SQL Server tables” session, then you can:
- Bulk import TSV files into SQL Server tables in Windows command line.
- Bulk import TSV files into SQL Server tables in Linux command line.
- Bulk import TSV files into SQL Server tables in macOS command line.
Set scheduled tasks for bulk importing TSV files into SQL Server tables
You can schedule and automate this converting task by:
- Save session and create .bat (Windows) or .sh (Linux/macOS) file for “TSV to SQL Server” conversion.
- Set scheduled task for “TSV to SQL Server” conversion.
FAQ
More about Withdata FileToDB – TSV to SQL Server converter
Download Withdata FileToDB
See Video: SQL Server bulk import TSV files into tables in one go
See also:
TSV → SQL Server reference
Type mapping
| Value kind | in TSV | in SQL Server |
|---|---|---|
| Int | 1234 | int |
| Bigint | 9007199254740993 | bigint |
| Decimal | 1234.56 | decimal(p,s) |
| Float | 1.234e+10 | float |
| Text | unquoted; a tab in the value splits the column | nvarchar(n) |
| Long text | unquoted; newlines break the row | nvarchar(max) |
| Date | 2026-09-18 | date |
| Datetime | 2026-09-18 14:30:00 | datetime2 |
| Binary | not representable | varbinary(max) |
| Boolean | TRUE / FALSE | bit |
| JSON | the whole JSON value as-is (its own quotes stay) | nvarchar(max) |
Dialect differences
TSV is a file format and SQL Server is a database server, so the target has to be told the types the file never carried - the rows below are where the two sides diverge.
| Property | in TSV | in SQL Server |
|---|---|---|
| port | — | 1433 |
| identifiers | Rarely used, which is exactly why tabs in data break it | [square brackets] |
| row limit | — | SELECT TOP n |
| dates | Conventional text: 2026-09-18 or 2026-09-18 14:30:00 | datetime, datetime2, date, time |
| long text | — | nvarchar(max) |
| binary | Not supported - must be encoded | varbinary(max) |
| separator | Tab | — |
| encoding | No declaration - UTF-8 works only with a BOM | — |
| typing | None - every field is text | — |
| shape | Flat table, optional header row | Tables of rows and columns |
| ceiling | No formal limit | — |
Command line
| Side | Command |
|---|---|
| SQL Server | bcp |
| SQL Server (load) | bcp, or BULK INSERT |
Convert your data online, free
Free in-browser converters for CSV, Excel, JSON, XML and SQL: Withdata Online Data Conversion. Large files, batch conversion or scheduling? See the offline desktop apps, or browse all data conversion tools.
New to the format? Read what a TSV file is (and how it differs from CSV).
