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AskSQLTeam
Ask SQLTeam Question
0 Posts |
 Posted - 2004-05-26 : 06:55:40
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| Louis writes "Can you instruct me how to link external tables instead of importing them?I need to link flat files for processing. MS Access can link the flat files and can do queries but of course Access has its limitations but I cannot find a way to link tables with SQL Server?Thanks,lousueyesh" |
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timmy
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
1242 Posts |
Posted - 2004-05-26 : 20:00:33
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| I don't think you can link flat files into SQL Server. A better solution (if you can manage it) would be to use DTS/BCP to import the data into staging tables so you can manipulate it more easily. You should also find that this is more efficient than linking. Tim |
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jsmith8858
Dr. Cross Join
7423 Posts |
Posted - 2004-05-26 : 20:49:12
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| i think you can create a linked server to a JET OLEDB datasource; if so, you should be able to use a text driver. I know there is a JET ODBC text file driver (which you probably used in Access) I'm sure there is something similiar for OLEDB but I've never tried. Read up on linked servers in Books Online.- Jeff |
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timmy
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
1242 Posts |
Posted - 2004-05-26 : 21:08:10
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| Jeff - I've tried this before. You can't link to a linked Access table. For the table to be available via Linked Servers it must be an 'Access' table, not a link. |
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jsmith8858
Dr. Cross Join
7423 Posts |
Posted - 2004-05-26 : 21:38:20
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| but can you skip Access completely and link right to the text file itself? i..e., in Access you are setting up a linked table to an ODBC "text driver" datasource; can you do the same in SQL Server with OLEDB or ODBC? I would imagine so, if an ODBC driver exists for text files ...- Jeff |
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timmy
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
1242 Posts |
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How to link external tables instead of importing