Question

Converting Varchar text fields into Dates and Numerics

Asked by: simon_kirk

Hi.
We are trying to import fixed width text files into our sql 2005 db's using SSIS, but during the import require some conversion on fields.  This worked ok with SQL2000 DTS as we were able to utilise the vbScript to do the conversions, but our migration to SQL 2005 and SSIS is giving us a headache, as we cannot find a way to replicate what we currently are doing.

The conversions we require are:

a) Date columns - format in the text file is ddmmyyyy e.g. 23062001 which is fine in SSIS.  However empty/blank dates are either represented by 8 spaces or 00000000

b) Numeric columns - format is 9.2 so £123.45 is 000012345.  This is ok in SSIS, but needs to be divided by 100 to get the decimal places correct

The Options we've identified so far are:

Option 1 - derived column for every column requiring conversion
As per this post http://www.experts-exchange.com/Microsoft/Development/MS-SQL-Server/SSIS/Q_23939174.html we can create a function, but it needs to be repeated for every column, and we have a lot of columns and a lot of files to import.  This could potentially work if we had some sort of reusable component for use within the package and other packages.

Option 2 - change the source data .
Not an option as due to legacy system constraints we are unable to do this.

Option 3 - staging table.  
Not an effective option as due to the type of text file being imported, we already operate 2 staging table imports

Option 4 - script component
See code snippet for what we've tested so far.  This works, but again we don't know how to re-use it within and for other packages.

Option 5 - use varchar fields in db and convert post import
While it can be done, this is getting around the problem and also creates more work and other issues.

Thx

Public Overrides Sub Input0_ProcessInputRow(ByVal Row As Input0Buffer)
 
If Row.Column8 = "00000000" Or Row.Column8_IsNull = True Then
 
Row.ChangetoDate_IsNull = True
 
Exit Sub
 
Else
 
Row.ChangetoDate = CDate(Right(Row.Column8, 2) + "/" + Mid(Row.Column8, 5, 2) + "/" + Mid(Row.Column8, 1, 4))
 
End If
 
End Sub

                                  
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Asked On
2009-10-06 at 03:55:13ID24788328
Topic

SSIS

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Answers

 

by: simon_kirkPosted on 2009-10-07 at 08:19:55ID: 25516491

After a lot of google searching have finally managed to find a way round this. A lot of feedback suggests you can't do this without writing a conversion function, but this is not the case.  Even though I've answered my own question, I thought others may benefit from the solution.

Method:

  • Create and setup your SQL database and the Flat File connections in Connection Manager 
  • Ensure your date column in the File Connection is set to the same format as the one in the SQL dB (e.g. database timestamp [DT_DBTIMESTAMP]) 
  • In the Data Flow Source, add a Flat File Source and SQL Server Destination 
  • In the Data Flow Transformation, add a Data Conversion 
  • Join the green Data Flow Path from the Flat File Source to the Data Conversion 
  • Join the green Data Flow Path from the Data Conversion to the SQL Server Destination 
  • In the Flat File Connection, in the advanced editor, under input and output properties tab, select your column under the output columns, and set the custom property, "FastParse" to TRUE 
  • Edit the Flat File Source and set the error output for the date column Error =  ignore failure and Truncation = Redirect Row 

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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