Want to batch import TXT (Text) documents into SQL Server [TEXT, NTEXT, VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX)] (CLOB) column?
Try Withdata DBBlobEditor, a SQL Server [TEXT, NTEXT, VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX)] (CLOB) editor, Bulk import TXT into SQL Server, East and Fast.
- Can run in GUI mode, just a few mouse clicks.
- Can run in Command line, for Scheduled Tasks and Streams.
- Support Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Batch import TXT documents to SQL Server [TEXT, NTEXT, VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX)] (CLOB) column
Run DBBlobEditor, login to SQL Server.
![Batch import txt files into SQL Server [TEXT, NTEXT, VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX)] (CLOB) - login to SQL Server](https://www.withdata.com/images/logon/choose_sql-server_logon.png)
Click “Start New Task – Import LOB From Files” at task dialog.
![Batch import txt files into SQL Server [TEXT, NTEXT, VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX)] (CLOB) - Task Window](https://www.withdata.com/images/lobeditor/task-list.png)
then show the wizard.
1. Configure import TXT settings.
![Batch insert txt files into SQL Server [TEXT, NTEXT, VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX)] (CLOB) - config](https://www.withdata.com/images/lobeditor/batch-import-txt-config.png)
2. Bulk import TXT files to SQL Server [TEXT, NTEXT, VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX)] (CLOB).
![Batch save txt files into SQL Server [TEXT, NTEXT, VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX)] (CLOB) - import](https://www.withdata.com/images/lobeditor/batch-import-txt-import.png)
then you can see importing results
![Batch import txt files into SQL Server [TEXT, NTEXT, VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX)] (CLOB) - view](https://www.withdata.com/images/lobeditor/batch-import-txt-view.png)
More about SQL Server [TEXT, NTEXT, VARCHAR(MAX), NVARCHAR(MAX)] (CLOB) importer
TXT → SQL Server reference
Type mapping
| Value kind | in TXT | in SQL Server |
|---|---|---|
| Int | 1234, or right-aligned in a fixed-width column | int |
| Bigint | 9007199254740993 | bigint |
| Decimal | 1234.56 | decimal(p,s) |
| Float | 1.234e+10 | float |
| Text | written as-is; padding depends on the chosen layout | nvarchar(n) |
| Long text | written as-is | nvarchar(max) |
| Date | whatever the writer chose | date |
| Datetime | whatever the writer chose | datetime2 |
| Binary | not representable | varbinary(max) |
| Boolean | Y / N, or 1 / 0, or TRUE / FALSE | bit |
Dialect differences
TXT 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 TXT | in SQL Server |
|---|---|---|
| port | — | 1433 |
| identifiers | None by convention | [square brackets] |
| row limit | — | SELECT TOP n |
| dates | Whatever the writer produced; no convention is guaranteed | datetime, datetime2, date, time |
| long text | — | nvarchar(max) |
| binary | Not supported | varbinary(max) |
| separator | Whatever was chosen - often fixed column widths | — |
| encoding | No declaration - UTF-8 works only with a BOM | — |
| typing | None - every field is text | — |
| shape | Free form; a parser has to be told the layout | Tables of rows and columns |
| ceiling | No formal limit | — |
Command line
| Side | Command |
|---|---|
| SQL Server | bcp |
| SQL Server (load) | bcp, or BULK INSERT |
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