Want to import data from JSON file to SQL Server ?
Try Withdata FileToDB, a desktop to SQL Server converter for Windows, MacOS, and Linux, Convert 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 file(s) to online services.
Import data from JSON file to SQL Server in 4 steps
Login to SQL Server -> Choose JSON file -> Set SQL Server table -> Import JSON to SQL Server
Choose SQL Server and logon.
Click “Wizard – 1 File To 1 Table” at task dialog.
Select the “JSON” file type.
then show the wizard.
Step #1. Open a JSON file.
Step #2. Choose a SQL Server table and config fields.
Step #3. Preview data.
Step #4. Import JSON to SQL Server.
Import JSON to SQL Server in command line
Save session, and then create .bat file for Windows command line, or .sh file for Linux / macOS.
Set scheduled tasks for importing JSON to SQL Server
You can schedule and automate this “JSON to SQL Server” conversion task by:
- Save session and create .bat (Windows) or .sh (Linux/macOS) file for ” to SQL Server” conversion.
- Set scheduled task for ” to SQL Server” conversion.
More about Withdata FileToDB – JSON to SQL Server converter
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JSON → SQL Server reference
Type mapping
| Value kind | in JSON | in SQL Server |
|---|---|---|
| Int | 1234 (number) | int |
| Bigint | 9007199254740993 | bigint |
| Decimal | 1234.56 (number) | decimal(p,s) |
| Float | 1.234e10 (number) | float |
| Text | "text" (string) | nvarchar(n) |
| Long text | "multi-line\ntext" (escaped newline inside a string) | nvarchar(max) |
| Date | "2026-09-18" (string) | date |
| Datetime | "2026-09-18T14:30:00Z" (string) | datetime2 |
| Binary | "base64:..." (string) | varbinary(max) |
| Boolean | true / false (boolean) | bit |
| JSON | nested object or array, kept as structure | nvarchar(max) |
Dialect differences
JSON 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 JSON | in SQL Server |
|---|---|---|
| port | — | 1433 |
| identifiers | Double quotes; backslash escapes | [square brackets] |
| row limit | — | SELECT TOP n |
| dates | No date type: dates arrive as strings and the reader must p... | datetime, datetime2, date, time |
| long text | — | nvarchar(max) |
| binary | Not supported natively - base64 inside a string | varbinary(max) |
| separator | Braces and commas | — |
| encoding | UTF-8 by definition | — |
| typing | string, number, boolean, null, object, array - no date type | — |
| shape | Nested objects and arrays | Tables of rows and columns |
| ceiling | Whole document is usually parsed into memory | — |
Command line
| Side | Command |
|---|---|
| SQL Server | bcp |
| SQL Server (load) | bcp, or BULK INSERT |
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