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How to import CSV file in SQL server 2008?

Submitted by: @import:stackexchange-dba·Mar 10, 2026·

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Problem

I am trying to import a CSV file in SQL Server 2008. BULK INSERT is a way to go but it is applicable for CSV from SQL Server 2014 onwards.

What would be an alternative way to achieve this goal?

Any thoughts/ideas much appreciated.

Solution

SQL Server has always supported bulk inserting from CSV files, you just have to specify field/row terminators.

file.csv contains:

foo,bar,1
blat,splunge,2

Then we do this:

CREATE TABLE #foo(a varchar(32), b varchar(32), c int);

BULK INSERT #foo FROM 'c:\temp\file.csv'
WITH (ROWTERMINATOR = '\n', FIELDTERMINATOR = ',');

SELECT * FROM #foo;

Results:

a        b        c
-------- -------- ----
foo      bar      1
blat     splunge  2

Code Snippets

foo,bar,1
blat,splunge,2

CREATE TABLE #foo(a varchar(32), b varchar(32), c int);

BULK INSERT #foo FROM 'c:\temp\file.csv'
WITH (ROWTERMINATOR = '\n', FIELDTERMINATOR = ',');

SELECT * FROM #foo;

a        b        c
-------- -------- ----
foo      bar      1
blat     splunge  2

Context

StackExchange Database Administrators Q#221817, answer score: 10

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