I have a bunch of rows in Excel that I want to paste into a new table in MS SQL. Is there a simple way ?
This question is related to
sql-server
excel
copy-paste
The answer is
why not just use export/import wizard in SSMS?
For future references:
You can copy-paste data from en excel-sheet to an SQL-table by doing so:
- Select the data in Excel and press Ctrl + C
- In SQL Server Management Studio right click the table and choose Edit Top 200 Rows
- Scroll to the bottom and select the entire empty row by clicking on the row header
- Paste the data by pressing Ctrl + V
Note: Often tables have a first column which is an ID-column with an auto generated/incremented ID. When you paste your data it will start inserting the leftmost selected column in Excel into the leftmost column in SSMS thus inserting data into the ID-column. To avoid that keep an empty column at the leftmost part of your selection in order to skip that column in SSMS. That will result in SSMS inserting the default data which is the auto generated ID. Furthermore you can skip other columns by having empty columns at the same ordinal positions in the Excel sheet selection as those columns to be skipped. That will make SSMS insert the default value (or NULL where no default value is specified).
why not just use export/import wizard in SSMS?
For future references:
You can copy-paste data from en excel-sheet to an SQL-table by doing so:
- Select the data in Excel and press Ctrl + C
- In SQL Server Management Studio right click the table and choose Edit Top 200 Rows
- Scroll to the bottom and select the entire empty row by clicking on the row header
- Paste the data by pressing Ctrl + V
Note: Often tables have a first column which is an ID-column with an auto generated/incremented ID. When you paste your data it will start inserting the leftmost selected column in Excel into the leftmost column in SSMS thus inserting data into the ID-column. To avoid that keep an empty column at the leftmost part of your selection in order to skip that column in SSMS. That will result in SSMS inserting the default data which is the auto generated ID. Furthermore you can skip other columns by having empty columns at the same ordinal positions in the Excel sheet selection as those columns to be skipped. That will make SSMS insert the default value (or NULL where no default value is specified).
The simplest way is to create a computed column in XLS that would generate the syntax of the insert statement. Then copy these insert into a text file and then execute on the SQL. The other alternatives are to buy database connectivity add-on's for Excel and write VBA code to accomplish the same.
The simplest way is to create a computed column in XLS that would generate the syntax of the insert statement. Then copy these insert into a text file and then execute on the SQL. The other alternatives are to buy database connectivity add-on's for Excel and write VBA code to accomplish the same.
I'd think some datbases can import data from CSV (comma separated values) files, wich you can export from exel. Or at least it's quite easy to use a csv parser (find one for your language, don't try to create one yourself - it's harder than it looks) to import it to the database.
I'm not familiar with MS SQL but it wouldn't suprise me if it does support it directly.
In any case I think the requrement must be that the structure in the Exel sheet and the database table is similar.
I'd think some datbases can import data from CSV (comma separated values) files, wich you can export from exel. Or at least it's quite easy to use a csv parser (find one for your language, don't try to create one yourself - it's harder than it looks) to import it to the database.
I'm not familiar with MS SQL but it wouldn't suprise me if it does support it directly.
In any case I think the requrement must be that the structure in the Exel sheet and the database table is similar.
If the interface works the way it did last I used it, you can select the region in Excel, copy it, open SQL Server and paste the data into the table as you would with Access.
Or you could setup an ODBC link between Excel and SQL Server.
Excel
- In Excel, highlight and copy the data you want to paste into SQL.
SQL
- Create the table with the desired column names and give you table a name.
*Make sure
Identity Specificationis Yes, so it will auto increment your Identity column. - Find your table, and right click on it and choose
Edit Top 200 Rowsfrom the dialog-box. - Right click on the empty row with the * sign and select paste from the dialog-box
If you have SQL Server Management Studio, you can just Copy from Excel and Paste into the table in Management Studio, using your mouse. Just
- Go to the table you want to paste into.
- Select "Edit Top 200 Rows".
- Right-click anywhere and select Paste.
Before you do this, you must match the columns between Excel and Management Studio. Also, you must place any non-editable columns last (right-most) using the Table Designer in Management Studio.
The whole procedure takes seconds (to set-up and start - not necessarily to execute) and doesn't require any SQL statements.
Regarding empty database tables and SSMS v18.1+.
The simplest way is to create a computed column in XLS that would generate the syntax of the insert statement. Then copy these insert into a text file and then execute on the SQL. The other alternatives are to buy database connectivity add-on's for Excel and write VBA code to accomplish the same.
why not just use export/import wizard in SSMS?
why not just use export/import wizard in SSMS?
Can't you use VBA code to do the copy from excel and paste into SSMS operations?
If the interface works the way it did last I used it, you can select the region in Excel, copy it, open SQL Server and paste the data into the table as you would with Access.
Or you could setup an ODBC link between Excel and SQL Server.
Can't you use VBA code to do the copy from excel and paste into SSMS operations?
I have developed an Excel VBA Macro for cutting and pasting any selection from Excel into SQL Server, creating a new table. The macro is great for quick and dirty table creations up to a few thousand rows and multiple columns (It can theoretically manage up to 200 columns). The macro attempts to automatically detect header names and assign the most appropriate datatype to each column (it handles varchar columns upto 1000 chars).
Recommended Setup procedure:
- Make sure Excel is enabled to run macros. (File->Options->Trust Center->Trust Center Settings->Macro Settings->Enable all macros..)
- Copy the VBA code below to the module associated with your personal workbook (So that the Macro will be available for all worksheets)
- Assign an appropriate keystroke to the macro ( I have assigned Ctrl Shift X)
- Save your personal workbook
Use of Macro
- Select the cells in Excel (including column headers if they exist) to be transferred to SQL
- Press the assigned keyword combination that you have assigned to run the macro
- Follow the prompts. (Default table name is ##Table)
- Paste the clipboard contents into a SSMS window and run the generated SQL code. BriFri 238
VBA Code:
Sub TransferToSQL()
'
' TransferToSQL Macro
' This macro prepares data for pasting into SQL Server and posts it to the clipboard for inserting into SSMS
' It attempts to automatically detect header rows and does a basic analysis of the first 15 rows to determine the most appropriate datatype to use handling text entries upto 1000 chars.
'
' Max Number of Columns: 200
'
' Keyboard Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+X
'
' ver Date Reason
' === ==== ======
' 1.6 06/2012 Fixed bug that prevented auto exit if no selection made / auto exit if blank Tablename entered or 'cancel' button pressed
' 1.5 02/2012 made use of function fn_ColLetter to retrieve the Column Letter for a specified column
' 1.4 02/2012 Replaces any Tabs in text data to spaces to prevent Double quotes being output in final results
' 1.3 02/2012 Place the 'drop table if already exists' code into a separate batch to prevent errors when inserting new table with same name but different shape and > 100 rows
' 1.2 01/2012 If null dates encountered code to cast it as Null rather than '00-Jan-1900'
' 1.1 10/2011 Code to drop the table if already exists
' 1.0 03/2011 Created
Dim intLastRow As Long
Dim intlastColumn As Integer
Dim intRow As Long
Dim intDataStartRow As Long
Dim intColumn As Integer
Dim strKeyWord As String
Dim intPos As Integer
Dim strDataTypeLevel(4) As String
Dim strColumnHeader(200) As String
Dim strDataType(200) As String
Dim intRowCheck As Integer
Dim strFormula(20) As String
Dim intHasHeaderRow As Integer
Dim strCellRef As String
Dim intFormulaCount As Integer
Dim strSQLTableName As String
Dim strSQLTableName_Encap As String
Dim intdataTypelevel As Integer
Const strConstHeaderKeyword As String = "ID,URN,name,Title,Job,Company,Contact,Address,Post,Town,Email,Tele,phone,Area,Region,Business,Total,Month,Week,Year,"
Const intConstMaxBatchSize As Integer = 100
Const intConstNumberRowsToAnalyse As Integer = 100
intHasHeaderRow = 0
strDataTypeLevel(1) = "VARCHAR(1000)"
strDataTypeLevel(2) = "FLOAT"
strDataTypeLevel(3) = "INTEGER"
strDataTypeLevel(4) = "DATETIME"
' Use current selection and paste to new temp worksheet
Selection.Copy
Workbooks.Add ' add temp 'Working' Workbook
' Paste "Values Only" back into new temp workbook
Range("A3").Select ' Goto 3rd Row
Selection.PasteSpecial Paste:=xlFormats, Operation:=xlNone, SkipBlanks:=False, Transpose:=False ' Copy Format of Selection
Selection.PasteSpecial Paste:=xlValues, Operation:=xlNone, SkipBlanks:=False, Transpose:=False ' Copy Values of Selection
ActiveCell.SpecialCells(xlLastCell).Select ' Goto last cell
intLastRow = ActiveCell.Row
intlastColumn = ActiveCell.Column
' Check to make sure that there are cells which are selected
If intLastRow = 3 And intlastColumn = 1 Then
Application.DisplayAlerts = False ' Temporarily switch off Display Alerts
ActiveWindow.Close ' Delete newly created worksheet
Application.DisplayAlerts = True ' Switch display alerts back on
MsgBox "*** Please Make selection before running macro - Terminating ***", vbOKOnly, "Transfer Data to SQL Server"
Exit Sub
End If
' Prompt user for Name of SQL Server table
strSQLTableName = InputBox("SQL Server Table Name?", "Transfer Excel Data To SQL", "##Table")
' if blank table name entered or 'Cancel' selected then exit
If strSQLTableName = "" Then
Application.DisplayAlerts = False ' Temporarily switch off Display Alerts
ActiveWindow.Close ' Delete newly created worksheet
Application.DisplayAlerts = True ' Switch display alerts back on
Exit Sub
End If
' encapsulate tablename with square brackets if user has not already done so
strSQLTableName_Encap = Replace(Replace(Replace("[" & Replace(strSQLTableName, ".", "].[") & "]", "[]", ""), "[[", "["), "]]", "]")
' Try to determine if the First Row is a header row or contains data and if a header load names of Columns
Range("A3").Select
For intColumn = 1 To intlastColumn
' first check to see if the first row contains any pure numbers or pure dates
If IsNumeric(ActiveCell.Value) Or IsDate(ActiveCell.Value) Then
intHasHeaderRow = vbNo
intDataStartRow = 3
Exit For
Else
strColumnHeader(intColumn) = ActiveCell.Value
ActiveCell.Offset(1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go to the row below
If IsNumeric(ActiveCell.Value) Or IsDate(ActiveCell.Value) Then
intHasHeaderRow = vbYes
intDataStartRow = 4
End If
ActiveCell.Offset(-1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go back up to the first row
If intHasHeaderRow = 0 Then ' if still not determined if header exists: Look for header using keywords
intPos = 1
While intPos < Len(strConstHeaderKeyword) And intHasHeaderRow = 0
strKeyWord = Mid$(strConstHeaderKeyword, intPos, InStr(intPos, strConstHeaderKeyword, ",") - intPos)
If InStr(1, ActiveCell.Value, strKeyWord) > 0 Then
intHasHeaderRow = vbYes
intDataStartRow = 4
End If
intPos = InStr(intPos, strConstHeaderKeyword, ",") + 1
Wend
End If
End If
ActiveCell.Offset(0, 1).Range("A1").Select ' Goto next column
Next intColumn
' If auto header row detection has failed ask the user to manually select
If intHasHeaderRow = 0 Then
intHasHeaderRow = MsgBox("Does current selection have a header row?", vbYesNo, "Auto header row detection failure")
If intHasHeaderRow = vbYes Then
intDataStartRow = 4
Else
intDataStartRow = 3
End If
End If
' *** Determine the Data Type of each Column ***
' Go thru each Column to find Data types
If intLastRow < intConstNumberRowsToAnalyse Then ' Check the first intConstNumberRowsToAnalyse rows or to end of selection whichever is less
intRowCheck = intLastRow
Else
intRowCheck = intConstNumberRowsToAnalyse
End If
For intColumn = 1 To intlastColumn
intdataTypelevel = 5
For intRow = intDataStartRow To intRowCheck
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intRow) & "C" & CStr(intColumn)
If ActiveCell.Value = "" Then ' ignore blank (null) values
ElseIf IsDate(ActiveCell.Value) = True And Len(ActiveCell.Value) >= 8 Then
If intdataTypelevel > 4 Then intdataTypelevel = 4
ElseIf IsNumeric(ActiveCell.Value) = True And InStr(1, CStr(ActiveCell.Value), ".") = 0 And (Left(CStr(ActiveCell.Value), 1) <> "0" Or ActiveCell.Value = "0") And Len(ActiveCell.Value) < 10 Then
If intdataTypelevel > 3 Then intdataTypelevel = 3
ElseIf IsNumeric(ActiveCell.Value) = True And InStr(1, CStr(ActiveCell.Value), ".") >= 1 Then
If intdataTypelevel > 2 Then intdataTypelevel = 2
Else
intdataTypelevel = 1
Exit For
End If
Next intRow
If intdataTypelevel = 5 Then intdataTypelevel = 1
strDataType(intColumn) = strDataTypeLevel(intdataTypelevel)
Next intColumn
' *** Build up the SQL
intFormulaCount = 1
If intHasHeaderRow = vbYes Then ' *** Header Row ***
Application.Goto Reference:="R4" & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + 1) ' Goto next column in first data row of selection
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = "= ""SELECT "
For intColumn = 1 To intlastColumn
If strDataType(intColumn) = "DATETIME" Then ' Code to take Excel Dates back to text
strCellRef = "Text(" & fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "4,""dd-mmm-yyyy hh:mm:ss"")"
ElseIf strDataType(intColumn) = "VARCHAR(1000)" Then
strCellRef = "SUBSTITUTE(" & fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "4,""'"",""''"")" ' Convert any single ' to double ''
Else
strCellRef = fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "4"
End If
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) & "CAST('""& " & strCellRef & " & ""' AS " & strDataType(intColumn) & ") AS [" & strColumnHeader(intColumn) & "]"
If intColumn < intlastColumn Then
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + ", "
Else
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + " UNION ALL """
End If
' since each cell can only hold a maximum no. of chars if Formula string gets too big continue formula in adjacent cell
If Len(strFormula(intFormulaCount)) > 700 And intColumn < intlastColumn Then
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + """"
intFormulaCount = intFormulaCount + 1
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = "= """
End If
Next intColumn
' Assign the formula to the cell(s) just right of the selection
For intColumn = 1 To intFormulaCount
ActiveCell.Value = strFormula(intColumn)
If intColumn < intFormulaCount Then ActiveCell.Offset(0, 1).Range("A1").Select ' Goto next column
Next intColumn
' Auto Fill the formula for the full length of the selection
ActiveCell.Offset(0, -intFormulaCount + 1).Range("A1:" & fn_ColLetter(intFormulaCount) & "1").Select
If intLastRow > 4 Then Selection.AutoFill Destination:=Range(fn_ColLetter(intlastColumn + 1) & "4:" & fn_ColLetter(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount) & CStr(intLastRow)), Type:=xlFillDefault
' Go to start row of data selection to add 'Select into' code
ActiveCell.Value = "SELECT * INTO " & strSQLTableName_Encap & " FROM (" & ActiveCell.Value
' Go to cells above data to insert code for deleting old table with the same name in separate SQL batch
ActiveCell.Offset(-1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go to the row above
ActiveCell.Value = "GO"
ActiveCell.Offset(-1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go to the row above
If Left(strSQLTableName, 1) = "#" Then ' temp table
ActiveCell.Value = "IF OBJECT_ID('tempdb.." & strSQLTableName & "') IS NOT NULL DROP TABLE " & strSQLTableName_Encap
Else
ActiveCell.Value = "IF OBJECT_ID('" & strSQLTableName & "') IS NOT NULL DROP TABLE " & strSQLTableName_Encap
End If
' For Big selections (i.e. several 100 or 1000 rows) SQL Server takes a very long time to do a multiple union - Split up the table creation into many inserts
intRow = intConstMaxBatchSize + 4 ' add 4 to make sure 1st batch = Max Batch Size
While intRow < intLastRow
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intRow - 1) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount) ' Goto Row before intRow and the last column in formula selection
ActiveCell.Value = Replace(ActiveCell.Value, " UNION ALL ", " ) a") ' Remove last 'UNION ALL'
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intRow) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + 1) ' Goto intRow and the first column in formula selection
ActiveCell.Value = "INSERT " & strSQLTableName_Encap & " SELECT * FROM (" & ActiveCell.Value
intRow = intRow + intConstMaxBatchSize ' increment intRow by intConstMaxBatchSize
Wend
' Delete the last 'UNION AlL' replacing it with brackets to mark the end of the last insert
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intLastRow) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount)
ActiveCell.Value = Replace(ActiveCell.Value, " UNION ALL ", " ) a")
' Select all the formula cells
ActiveCell.Offset(-intLastRow + 2, 1 - intFormulaCount).Range("A1:" & fn_ColLetter(intFormulaCount + 1) & CStr(intLastRow - 1)).Select
Else ' *** No Header Row ***
Application.Goto Reference:="R3" & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + 1) ' Goto next column in first data row of selection
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = "= ""SELECT "
For intColumn = 1 To intlastColumn
If strDataType(intColumn) = "DATETIME" Then
strCellRef = "Text(" & fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "3,""dd-mmm-yyyy hh:mm:ss"")" ' Format Excel dates into a text Date format that SQL will pick up
ElseIf strDataType(intColumn) = "VARCHAR(1000)" Then
strCellRef = "SUBSTITUTE(" & fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "3,""'"",""''"")" ' Change all single ' to double ''
Else
strCellRef = fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "3"
End If
' Since no column headers: Name each column "Column001",Column002"..
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) & "CAST('""& " & strCellRef & " & ""' AS " & strDataType(intColumn) & ") AS [Column" & CStr(intColumn) & "]"
If intColumn < intlastColumn Then
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + ", "
Else
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + " UNION ALL """
End If
' since each cell can only hold a maximum no. of chars if Formula string gets too big continue formula in adjacent cell
If Len(strFormula(intFormulaCount)) > 700 And intColumn < intlastColumn Then
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + """"
intFormulaCount = intFormulaCount + 1
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = "= """
End If
Next intColumn
' Assign the formula to the cell(s) just right of the selection
For intColumn = 1 To intFormulaCount
ActiveCell.Value = strFormula(intColumn)
If intColumn < intFormulaCount Then ActiveCell.Offset(0, 1).Range("A1").Select ' Goto next column
Next intColumn
' Auto Fill the formula for the full length of the selection
ActiveCell.Offset(0, -intFormulaCount + 1).Range("A1:" & fn_ColLetter(intFormulaCount) & "1").Select
If intLastRow > 4 Then Selection.AutoFill Destination:=Range(fn_ColLetter(intlastColumn + 1) & "3:" & fn_ColLetter(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount) & CStr(intLastRow)), Type:=xlFillDefault
' Go to start row of data selection to add 'Select into' code
ActiveCell.Value = "SELECT * INTO " & strSQLTableName_Encap & " FROM (" & ActiveCell.Value
' Go to cells above data to insert code for deleting old table with the same name in separate SQL batch
ActiveCell.Offset(-1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go to the row above
ActiveCell.Value = "GO"
ActiveCell.Offset(-1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go to the row above
If Left(strSQLTableName, 1) = "#" Then ' temp table
ActiveCell.Value = "IF OBJECT_ID('tempdb.." & strSQLTableName & "') IS NOT NULL DROP TABLE " & strSQLTableName_Encap
Else
ActiveCell.Value = "IF OBJECT_ID('" & strSQLTableName & "') IS NOT NULL DROP TABLE " & strSQLTableName_Encap
End If
' For Big selections (i.e. serveral 100 or 1000 rows) SQL Server takes a very long time to do a multiple union - Split up the table creation into many inserts
intRow = intConstMaxBatchSize + 3 ' add 3 to make sure 1st batch = Max Batch Size
While intRow < intLastRow
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intRow - 1) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount) ' Goto Row before intRow and the last column in formula selection
ActiveCell.Value = Replace(ActiveCell.Value, " UNION ALL ", " ) a") ' Remove last 'UNION ALL'
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intRow) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + 1) ' Goto intRow and the first column in formula selection
ActiveCell.Value = "INSERT " & strSQLTableName_Encap & " SELECT * FROM (" & ActiveCell.Value
intRow = intRow + intConstMaxBatchSize ' increment intRow by intConstMaxBatchSize
Wend
' Delete the last 'UNION AlL'
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intLastRow) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount)
ActiveCell.Value = Replace(ActiveCell.Value, " UNION ALL ", " ) a")
' Select all the formula cells
ActiveCell.Offset(-intLastRow + 1, 1 - intFormulaCount).Range("A1:" & fn_ColLetter(intFormulaCount + 1) & CStr(intLastRow)).Select
End If
' Final Selection to clipboard and Cleaning of data
Selection.Copy
Selection.PasteSpecial Paste:=xlValues, Operation:=xlNone, SkipBlanks:=False, Transpose:=False ' Repaste "Values Only" back into cells
Selection.Replace What:="CAST('' AS", Replacement:="CAST(NULL AS", LookAt:=xlPart, SearchOrder:=xlByRows, MatchCase:=False ' convert all blank cells to NULL
Selection.Replace What:="'00-Jan-1900 00:00:00'", Replacement:="NULL", LookAt:=xlPart, SearchOrder:=xlByRows, MatchCase:=False ' convert all blank Date cells to NULL
Selection.Replace What:="'NULL'", Replacement:="NULL", LookAt:=xlPart, SearchOrder:=xlByRows, MatchCase:=False ' convert all 'NULL' cells to NULL
Selection.Replace What:=vbTab, Replacement:=" ", LookAt:=xlPart, SearchOrder:=xlByRows, MatchCase:=False ' Replace all Tabs in cells to Space to prevent Double Quotes occuring in the final paste text
Selection.Copy
MsgBox "SQL Code has been added to clipboard - Please Paste into SSMS window", vbOKOnly, "Transfer to SQL"
Application.DisplayAlerts = False ' Temporarily switch off Display Alerts
ActiveWindow.Close ' Delete newly created worksheet
Application.DisplayAlerts = True ' Switch display alerts back on
End Sub
Function fn_ColLetter(Col As Integer) As String
Dim strColLetter As String
If Col > 26 Then
' double letter columns
strColLetter = Chr(Int((Col - 1) / 26) + 64) & _
Chr(((Col - 1) Mod 26) + 65)
Else
' single letter columns
strColLetter = Chr(Col + 64)
End If
fn_ColLetter = strColLetter
End Function
If the interface works the way it did last I used it, you can select the region in Excel, copy it, open SQL Server and paste the data into the table as you would with Access.
Or you could setup an ODBC link between Excel and SQL Server.
The simplest way is to create a computed column in XLS that would generate the syntax of the insert statement. Then copy these insert into a text file and then execute on the SQL. The other alternatives are to buy database connectivity add-on's for Excel and write VBA code to accomplish the same.
I'd think some datbases can import data from CSV (comma separated values) files, wich you can export from exel. Or at least it's quite easy to use a csv parser (find one for your language, don't try to create one yourself - it's harder than it looks) to import it to the database.
I'm not familiar with MS SQL but it wouldn't suprise me if it does support it directly.
In any case I think the requrement must be that the structure in the Exel sheet and the database table is similar.
If you have SQL Server Management Studio, you can just Copy from Excel and Paste into the table in Management Studio, using your mouse. Just
- Go to the table you want to paste into.
- Select "Edit Top 200 Rows".
- Right-click anywhere and select Paste.
Before you do this, you must match the columns between Excel and Management Studio. Also, you must place any non-editable columns last (right-most) using the Table Designer in Management Studio.
The whole procedure takes seconds (to set-up and start - not necessarily to execute) and doesn't require any SQL statements.
Regarding empty database tables and SSMS v18.1+.
I have developed an Excel VBA Macro for cutting and pasting any selection from Excel into SQL Server, creating a new table. The macro is great for quick and dirty table creations up to a few thousand rows and multiple columns (It can theoretically manage up to 200 columns). The macro attempts to automatically detect header names and assign the most appropriate datatype to each column (it handles varchar columns upto 1000 chars).
Recommended Setup procedure:
- Make sure Excel is enabled to run macros. (File->Options->Trust Center->Trust Center Settings->Macro Settings->Enable all macros..)
- Copy the VBA code below to the module associated with your personal workbook (So that the Macro will be available for all worksheets)
- Assign an appropriate keystroke to the macro ( I have assigned Ctrl Shift X)
- Save your personal workbook
Use of Macro
- Select the cells in Excel (including column headers if they exist) to be transferred to SQL
- Press the assigned keyword combination that you have assigned to run the macro
- Follow the prompts. (Default table name is ##Table)
- Paste the clipboard contents into a SSMS window and run the generated SQL code. BriFri 238
VBA Code:
Sub TransferToSQL()
'
' TransferToSQL Macro
' This macro prepares data for pasting into SQL Server and posts it to the clipboard for inserting into SSMS
' It attempts to automatically detect header rows and does a basic analysis of the first 15 rows to determine the most appropriate datatype to use handling text entries upto 1000 chars.
'
' Max Number of Columns: 200
'
' Keyboard Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+X
'
' ver Date Reason
' === ==== ======
' 1.6 06/2012 Fixed bug that prevented auto exit if no selection made / auto exit if blank Tablename entered or 'cancel' button pressed
' 1.5 02/2012 made use of function fn_ColLetter to retrieve the Column Letter for a specified column
' 1.4 02/2012 Replaces any Tabs in text data to spaces to prevent Double quotes being output in final results
' 1.3 02/2012 Place the 'drop table if already exists' code into a separate batch to prevent errors when inserting new table with same name but different shape and > 100 rows
' 1.2 01/2012 If null dates encountered code to cast it as Null rather than '00-Jan-1900'
' 1.1 10/2011 Code to drop the table if already exists
' 1.0 03/2011 Created
Dim intLastRow As Long
Dim intlastColumn As Integer
Dim intRow As Long
Dim intDataStartRow As Long
Dim intColumn As Integer
Dim strKeyWord As String
Dim intPos As Integer
Dim strDataTypeLevel(4) As String
Dim strColumnHeader(200) As String
Dim strDataType(200) As String
Dim intRowCheck As Integer
Dim strFormula(20) As String
Dim intHasHeaderRow As Integer
Dim strCellRef As String
Dim intFormulaCount As Integer
Dim strSQLTableName As String
Dim strSQLTableName_Encap As String
Dim intdataTypelevel As Integer
Const strConstHeaderKeyword As String = "ID,URN,name,Title,Job,Company,Contact,Address,Post,Town,Email,Tele,phone,Area,Region,Business,Total,Month,Week,Year,"
Const intConstMaxBatchSize As Integer = 100
Const intConstNumberRowsToAnalyse As Integer = 100
intHasHeaderRow = 0
strDataTypeLevel(1) = "VARCHAR(1000)"
strDataTypeLevel(2) = "FLOAT"
strDataTypeLevel(3) = "INTEGER"
strDataTypeLevel(4) = "DATETIME"
' Use current selection and paste to new temp worksheet
Selection.Copy
Workbooks.Add ' add temp 'Working' Workbook
' Paste "Values Only" back into new temp workbook
Range("A3").Select ' Goto 3rd Row
Selection.PasteSpecial Paste:=xlFormats, Operation:=xlNone, SkipBlanks:=False, Transpose:=False ' Copy Format of Selection
Selection.PasteSpecial Paste:=xlValues, Operation:=xlNone, SkipBlanks:=False, Transpose:=False ' Copy Values of Selection
ActiveCell.SpecialCells(xlLastCell).Select ' Goto last cell
intLastRow = ActiveCell.Row
intlastColumn = ActiveCell.Column
' Check to make sure that there are cells which are selected
If intLastRow = 3 And intlastColumn = 1 Then
Application.DisplayAlerts = False ' Temporarily switch off Display Alerts
ActiveWindow.Close ' Delete newly created worksheet
Application.DisplayAlerts = True ' Switch display alerts back on
MsgBox "*** Please Make selection before running macro - Terminating ***", vbOKOnly, "Transfer Data to SQL Server"
Exit Sub
End If
' Prompt user for Name of SQL Server table
strSQLTableName = InputBox("SQL Server Table Name?", "Transfer Excel Data To SQL", "##Table")
' if blank table name entered or 'Cancel' selected then exit
If strSQLTableName = "" Then
Application.DisplayAlerts = False ' Temporarily switch off Display Alerts
ActiveWindow.Close ' Delete newly created worksheet
Application.DisplayAlerts = True ' Switch display alerts back on
Exit Sub
End If
' encapsulate tablename with square brackets if user has not already done so
strSQLTableName_Encap = Replace(Replace(Replace("[" & Replace(strSQLTableName, ".", "].[") & "]", "[]", ""), "[[", "["), "]]", "]")
' Try to determine if the First Row is a header row or contains data and if a header load names of Columns
Range("A3").Select
For intColumn = 1 To intlastColumn
' first check to see if the first row contains any pure numbers or pure dates
If IsNumeric(ActiveCell.Value) Or IsDate(ActiveCell.Value) Then
intHasHeaderRow = vbNo
intDataStartRow = 3
Exit For
Else
strColumnHeader(intColumn) = ActiveCell.Value
ActiveCell.Offset(1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go to the row below
If IsNumeric(ActiveCell.Value) Or IsDate(ActiveCell.Value) Then
intHasHeaderRow = vbYes
intDataStartRow = 4
End If
ActiveCell.Offset(-1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go back up to the first row
If intHasHeaderRow = 0 Then ' if still not determined if header exists: Look for header using keywords
intPos = 1
While intPos < Len(strConstHeaderKeyword) And intHasHeaderRow = 0
strKeyWord = Mid$(strConstHeaderKeyword, intPos, InStr(intPos, strConstHeaderKeyword, ",") - intPos)
If InStr(1, ActiveCell.Value, strKeyWord) > 0 Then
intHasHeaderRow = vbYes
intDataStartRow = 4
End If
intPos = InStr(intPos, strConstHeaderKeyword, ",") + 1
Wend
End If
End If
ActiveCell.Offset(0, 1).Range("A1").Select ' Goto next column
Next intColumn
' If auto header row detection has failed ask the user to manually select
If intHasHeaderRow = 0 Then
intHasHeaderRow = MsgBox("Does current selection have a header row?", vbYesNo, "Auto header row detection failure")
If intHasHeaderRow = vbYes Then
intDataStartRow = 4
Else
intDataStartRow = 3
End If
End If
' *** Determine the Data Type of each Column ***
' Go thru each Column to find Data types
If intLastRow < intConstNumberRowsToAnalyse Then ' Check the first intConstNumberRowsToAnalyse rows or to end of selection whichever is less
intRowCheck = intLastRow
Else
intRowCheck = intConstNumberRowsToAnalyse
End If
For intColumn = 1 To intlastColumn
intdataTypelevel = 5
For intRow = intDataStartRow To intRowCheck
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intRow) & "C" & CStr(intColumn)
If ActiveCell.Value = "" Then ' ignore blank (null) values
ElseIf IsDate(ActiveCell.Value) = True And Len(ActiveCell.Value) >= 8 Then
If intdataTypelevel > 4 Then intdataTypelevel = 4
ElseIf IsNumeric(ActiveCell.Value) = True And InStr(1, CStr(ActiveCell.Value), ".") = 0 And (Left(CStr(ActiveCell.Value), 1) <> "0" Or ActiveCell.Value = "0") And Len(ActiveCell.Value) < 10 Then
If intdataTypelevel > 3 Then intdataTypelevel = 3
ElseIf IsNumeric(ActiveCell.Value) = True And InStr(1, CStr(ActiveCell.Value), ".") >= 1 Then
If intdataTypelevel > 2 Then intdataTypelevel = 2
Else
intdataTypelevel = 1
Exit For
End If
Next intRow
If intdataTypelevel = 5 Then intdataTypelevel = 1
strDataType(intColumn) = strDataTypeLevel(intdataTypelevel)
Next intColumn
' *** Build up the SQL
intFormulaCount = 1
If intHasHeaderRow = vbYes Then ' *** Header Row ***
Application.Goto Reference:="R4" & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + 1) ' Goto next column in first data row of selection
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = "= ""SELECT "
For intColumn = 1 To intlastColumn
If strDataType(intColumn) = "DATETIME" Then ' Code to take Excel Dates back to text
strCellRef = "Text(" & fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "4,""dd-mmm-yyyy hh:mm:ss"")"
ElseIf strDataType(intColumn) = "VARCHAR(1000)" Then
strCellRef = "SUBSTITUTE(" & fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "4,""'"",""''"")" ' Convert any single ' to double ''
Else
strCellRef = fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "4"
End If
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) & "CAST('""& " & strCellRef & " & ""' AS " & strDataType(intColumn) & ") AS [" & strColumnHeader(intColumn) & "]"
If intColumn < intlastColumn Then
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + ", "
Else
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + " UNION ALL """
End If
' since each cell can only hold a maximum no. of chars if Formula string gets too big continue formula in adjacent cell
If Len(strFormula(intFormulaCount)) > 700 And intColumn < intlastColumn Then
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + """"
intFormulaCount = intFormulaCount + 1
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = "= """
End If
Next intColumn
' Assign the formula to the cell(s) just right of the selection
For intColumn = 1 To intFormulaCount
ActiveCell.Value = strFormula(intColumn)
If intColumn < intFormulaCount Then ActiveCell.Offset(0, 1).Range("A1").Select ' Goto next column
Next intColumn
' Auto Fill the formula for the full length of the selection
ActiveCell.Offset(0, -intFormulaCount + 1).Range("A1:" & fn_ColLetter(intFormulaCount) & "1").Select
If intLastRow > 4 Then Selection.AutoFill Destination:=Range(fn_ColLetter(intlastColumn + 1) & "4:" & fn_ColLetter(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount) & CStr(intLastRow)), Type:=xlFillDefault
' Go to start row of data selection to add 'Select into' code
ActiveCell.Value = "SELECT * INTO " & strSQLTableName_Encap & " FROM (" & ActiveCell.Value
' Go to cells above data to insert code for deleting old table with the same name in separate SQL batch
ActiveCell.Offset(-1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go to the row above
ActiveCell.Value = "GO"
ActiveCell.Offset(-1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go to the row above
If Left(strSQLTableName, 1) = "#" Then ' temp table
ActiveCell.Value = "IF OBJECT_ID('tempdb.." & strSQLTableName & "') IS NOT NULL DROP TABLE " & strSQLTableName_Encap
Else
ActiveCell.Value = "IF OBJECT_ID('" & strSQLTableName & "') IS NOT NULL DROP TABLE " & strSQLTableName_Encap
End If
' For Big selections (i.e. several 100 or 1000 rows) SQL Server takes a very long time to do a multiple union - Split up the table creation into many inserts
intRow = intConstMaxBatchSize + 4 ' add 4 to make sure 1st batch = Max Batch Size
While intRow < intLastRow
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intRow - 1) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount) ' Goto Row before intRow and the last column in formula selection
ActiveCell.Value = Replace(ActiveCell.Value, " UNION ALL ", " ) a") ' Remove last 'UNION ALL'
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intRow) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + 1) ' Goto intRow and the first column in formula selection
ActiveCell.Value = "INSERT " & strSQLTableName_Encap & " SELECT * FROM (" & ActiveCell.Value
intRow = intRow + intConstMaxBatchSize ' increment intRow by intConstMaxBatchSize
Wend
' Delete the last 'UNION AlL' replacing it with brackets to mark the end of the last insert
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intLastRow) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount)
ActiveCell.Value = Replace(ActiveCell.Value, " UNION ALL ", " ) a")
' Select all the formula cells
ActiveCell.Offset(-intLastRow + 2, 1 - intFormulaCount).Range("A1:" & fn_ColLetter(intFormulaCount + 1) & CStr(intLastRow - 1)).Select
Else ' *** No Header Row ***
Application.Goto Reference:="R3" & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + 1) ' Goto next column in first data row of selection
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = "= ""SELECT "
For intColumn = 1 To intlastColumn
If strDataType(intColumn) = "DATETIME" Then
strCellRef = "Text(" & fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "3,""dd-mmm-yyyy hh:mm:ss"")" ' Format Excel dates into a text Date format that SQL will pick up
ElseIf strDataType(intColumn) = "VARCHAR(1000)" Then
strCellRef = "SUBSTITUTE(" & fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "3,""'"",""''"")" ' Change all single ' to double ''
Else
strCellRef = fn_ColLetter(intColumn) & "3"
End If
' Since no column headers: Name each column "Column001",Column002"..
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) & "CAST('""& " & strCellRef & " & ""' AS " & strDataType(intColumn) & ") AS [Column" & CStr(intColumn) & "]"
If intColumn < intlastColumn Then
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + ", "
Else
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + " UNION ALL """
End If
' since each cell can only hold a maximum no. of chars if Formula string gets too big continue formula in adjacent cell
If Len(strFormula(intFormulaCount)) > 700 And intColumn < intlastColumn Then
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = strFormula(intFormulaCount) + """"
intFormulaCount = intFormulaCount + 1
strFormula(intFormulaCount) = "= """
End If
Next intColumn
' Assign the formula to the cell(s) just right of the selection
For intColumn = 1 To intFormulaCount
ActiveCell.Value = strFormula(intColumn)
If intColumn < intFormulaCount Then ActiveCell.Offset(0, 1).Range("A1").Select ' Goto next column
Next intColumn
' Auto Fill the formula for the full length of the selection
ActiveCell.Offset(0, -intFormulaCount + 1).Range("A1:" & fn_ColLetter(intFormulaCount) & "1").Select
If intLastRow > 4 Then Selection.AutoFill Destination:=Range(fn_ColLetter(intlastColumn + 1) & "3:" & fn_ColLetter(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount) & CStr(intLastRow)), Type:=xlFillDefault
' Go to start row of data selection to add 'Select into' code
ActiveCell.Value = "SELECT * INTO " & strSQLTableName_Encap & " FROM (" & ActiveCell.Value
' Go to cells above data to insert code for deleting old table with the same name in separate SQL batch
ActiveCell.Offset(-1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go to the row above
ActiveCell.Value = "GO"
ActiveCell.Offset(-1, 0).Range("A1").Select ' go to the row above
If Left(strSQLTableName, 1) = "#" Then ' temp table
ActiveCell.Value = "IF OBJECT_ID('tempdb.." & strSQLTableName & "') IS NOT NULL DROP TABLE " & strSQLTableName_Encap
Else
ActiveCell.Value = "IF OBJECT_ID('" & strSQLTableName & "') IS NOT NULL DROP TABLE " & strSQLTableName_Encap
End If
' For Big selections (i.e. serveral 100 or 1000 rows) SQL Server takes a very long time to do a multiple union - Split up the table creation into many inserts
intRow = intConstMaxBatchSize + 3 ' add 3 to make sure 1st batch = Max Batch Size
While intRow < intLastRow
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intRow - 1) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount) ' Goto Row before intRow and the last column in formula selection
ActiveCell.Value = Replace(ActiveCell.Value, " UNION ALL ", " ) a") ' Remove last 'UNION ALL'
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intRow) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + 1) ' Goto intRow and the first column in formula selection
ActiveCell.Value = "INSERT " & strSQLTableName_Encap & " SELECT * FROM (" & ActiveCell.Value
intRow = intRow + intConstMaxBatchSize ' increment intRow by intConstMaxBatchSize
Wend
' Delete the last 'UNION AlL'
Application.Goto Reference:="R" & CStr(intLastRow) & "C" & CStr(intlastColumn + intFormulaCount)
ActiveCell.Value = Replace(ActiveCell.Value, " UNION ALL ", " ) a")
' Select all the formula cells
ActiveCell.Offset(-intLastRow + 1, 1 - intFormulaCount).Range("A1:" & fn_ColLetter(intFormulaCount + 1) & CStr(intLastRow)).Select
End If
' Final Selection to clipboard and Cleaning of data
Selection.Copy
Selection.PasteSpecial Paste:=xlValues, Operation:=xlNone, SkipBlanks:=False, Transpose:=False ' Repaste "Values Only" back into cells
Selection.Replace What:="CAST('' AS", Replacement:="CAST(NULL AS", LookAt:=xlPart, SearchOrder:=xlByRows, MatchCase:=False ' convert all blank cells to NULL
Selection.Replace What:="'00-Jan-1900 00:00:00'", Replacement:="NULL", LookAt:=xlPart, SearchOrder:=xlByRows, MatchCase:=False ' convert all blank Date cells to NULL
Selection.Replace What:="'NULL'", Replacement:="NULL", LookAt:=xlPart, SearchOrder:=xlByRows, MatchCase:=False ' convert all 'NULL' cells to NULL
Selection.Replace What:=vbTab, Replacement:=" ", LookAt:=xlPart, SearchOrder:=xlByRows, MatchCase:=False ' Replace all Tabs in cells to Space to prevent Double Quotes occuring in the final paste text
Selection.Copy
MsgBox "SQL Code has been added to clipboard - Please Paste into SSMS window", vbOKOnly, "Transfer to SQL"
Application.DisplayAlerts = False ' Temporarily switch off Display Alerts
ActiveWindow.Close ' Delete newly created worksheet
Application.DisplayAlerts = True ' Switch display alerts back on
End Sub
Function fn_ColLetter(Col As Integer) As String
Dim strColLetter As String
If Col > 26 Then
' double letter columns
strColLetter = Chr(Int((Col - 1) / 26) + 64) & _
Chr(((Col - 1) Mod 26) + 65)
Else
' single letter columns
strColLetter = Chr(Col + 64)
End If
fn_ColLetter = strColLetter
End Function
Source: Stackoverflow.com