Keep nulls or default values during bulk import (SQL Server)

Applies to: SQL Server Azure SQL Database Azure SQL Managed Instance Azure Synapse Analytics Analytics Platform System (PDW)

By default, when data is imported into a table, the bcp command and BULK INSERT statement observe any defaults that are defined for the columns in the table. For example, if there is a null field in a data file, the default value for the column is loaded instead. The bcp command and BULK INSERT statement both allow you to specify that nulls values be retained.

In contrast, a regular INSERT statement retains the null value instead of inserting a default value. The INSERT ... SELECT * FROM OPENROWSET(BULK...) statement provides the same basic behavior as regular INSERT but additionally supports a table hint for inserting the default values.

The following qualifiers specify that an empty field in the data file retains its null value during the bulk-import operation, rather than inheriting a default value (if any) for the table columns. For OPENROWSET, by default, any columns that are not specified in the bulk-load operation are set to NULL.

* For BULK INSERT, if default values are not available, the table column must be defined to allow null values.

You can specify that for an empty field in the data file, the corresponding table column uses its default value (if any). To use default values, use the table hint KEEPDEFAULTS.

The examples in this topic are based on the table, data file, and format file defined below.

The script below creates a test database and a table named myNulls. Notice that the fourth table column, Kids, has a default value. Execute the following Transact-SQL in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):

CREATE DATABASE TestDatabase;
GO

USE TestDatabase;
CREATE TABLE dbo.myNulls ( 
   PersonID smallint not null,
   FirstName varchar(25),
   LastName varchar(30),
   Kids varchar(13) DEFAULT 'Default Value',
   BirthDate date
   );

Using Notepad, create an empty file D:\BCP\myNulls.bcp and insert the data below. Note that there is no value in the third record, fourth column.

1,Anthony,Grosse,Yes,1980-02-23
2,Alica,Fatnowna,No,1963-11-14
3,Stella,Rosenhain,,1992-03-02

Alternatively, you can execute the following PowerShell script to create and populate the data file:

cls
# revise directory as desired
$dir = 'D:\BCP\';

$bcpFile = $dir + 'MyNulls.bcp';

# Confirm directory exists
IF ((Test-Path -Path $dir) -eq 0)
{
    Write-Host "The path $dir does not exist; please create or modify the directory.";
    RETURN;
};

# clear content, will error if file does not exist, can be ignored
Clear-Content -Path $bcpFile -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue;

# Add data
Add-Content -Path $bcpFile -Value '1,Anthony,Grosse,Yes,1980-02-23';
Add-Content -Path $bcpFile -Value '2,Alica,Fatnowna,No,1963-11-14';
Add-Content -Path $bcpFile -Value '3,Stella,Rosenhain,,1992-03-02';

#Review content
Get-Content -Path $bcpFile;
Invoke-Item $bcpFile;

SQL Server support two types of format file: non-XML format and XML format. The non-XML format is the original format that is supported by earlier versions of SQL Server. Please review Non-XML Format Files (SQL Server) for detailed information. The following command will use the bcp utility to generate a non-xml format file, myNulls.fmt, based on the schema of myNulls. To use a bcp command to create a format file, specify the format argument and use nul instead of a data-file path. The format option also requires the -f option. In addition, for this example, the qualifier c is used to specify character data, t, is used to specify a comma as a field terminator, and T is used to specify a trusted connection using integrated security. At a command prompt, enter the following command:

bcp TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls format nul -c -f D:\BCP\myNulls.fmt -t, -T

REM Review file
Notepad D:\BCP\myNulls.fmt

For more information about creating format files, see Create a Format File (SQL Server).

The examples below use the database, datafile, and format files created above.

-k switch. At a command prompt, enter the following command:

REM Truncate table (for testing)
SQLCMD -Q "TRUNCATE TABLE TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;"

REM Import data
bcp TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls IN D:\BCP\myNulls.bcp -c -t, -T -k

REM Review results
SQLCMD -Q "SELECT * FROM TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;"

-k and -f switches. At a command prompt, enter the following command:

REM Truncate table (for testing)
SQLCMD -Q "TRUNCATE TABLE TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;"

REM Import data
bcp TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls IN D:\BCP\myNulls.bcp -f D:\BCP\myNulls.fmt -T -k

REM Review results
SQLCMD -Q "SELECT * FROM TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;"

At a command prompt, enter the following command:

REM Truncate table (for testing)
SQLCMD -Q "TRUNCATE TABLE TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;"

REM Import data
bcp TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls IN D:\BCP\myNulls.bcp -c -t, -T

REM Review results
SQLCMD -Q "SELECT * FROM TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;"

-f switch. At a command prompt, enter the following command:

REM Truncate table (for testing)
SQLCMD -Q "TRUNCATE TABLE TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;"

REM Import data
bcp TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls IN D:\BCP\myNulls.bcp -f D:\BCP\myNulls.fmt -T

REM Review results
SQLCMD -Q "SELECT * FROM TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;"

KEEPNULLS argument. Execute the following Transact-SQL in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):

USE TestDatabase;
GO
TRUNCATE TABLE dbo.myNulls; -- for testing
BULK INSERT dbo.myNulls
	FROM 'D:\BCP\myNulls.bcp'
	WITH (
		DATAFILETYPE = 'char',  
		FIELDTERMINATOR = ',',  
		KEEPNULLS
		);

-- review results
SELECT * FROM TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;

KEEPNULLS and the FORMATFILE argument. Execute the following Transact-SQL in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):

USE TestDatabase;
GO

TRUNCATE TABLE dbo.myNulls; -- for testing
BULK INSERT dbo.myNulls
   FROM 'D:\BCP\myNulls.bcp'
   WITH (
		FORMATFILE = 'D:\BCP\myNulls.fmt',
		KEEPNULLS
		);

-- review results
SELECT * FROM TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;

Execute the following Transact-SQL in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):

USE TestDatabase;
GO

TRUNCATE TABLE dbo.myNulls;  -- for testing
BULK INSERT dbo.myNulls
   FROM 'D:\BCP\myNulls.bcp'
   WITH (
      DATAFILETYPE = 'char',  
      FIELDTERMINATOR = ','
	  );

-- review results
SELECT * FROM TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;

FORMATFILE argument. Execute the following Transact-SQL in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):

USE TestDatabase;
GO

TRUNCATE TABLE dbo.myNulls;  -- for testing
BULK INSERT dbo.myNulls
   FROM 'D:\BCP\myNulls.bcp'
   WITH (
		FORMATFILE = 'D:\BCP\myNulls.fmt'
		);

-- review results
SELECT * FROM TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;

FORMATFILE argument. Execute the following Transact-SQL in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):

USE TestDatabase;
GO

TRUNCATE TABLE dbo.myNulls;  -- for testing
INSERT INTO dbo.myNulls
	SELECT *
	FROM OPENROWSET (
		BULK 'D:\BCP\myNulls.bcp', 
		FORMATFILE = 'D:\BCP\myNulls.fmt'  
		) AS t1;

-- review results
SELECT * FROM TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;

KEEPDEFAULTS table hint and FORMATFILE argument. Execute the following Transact-SQL in Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS):

USE TestDatabase;
GO

TRUNCATE TABLE dbo.myNulls;  -- for testing
INSERT INTO dbo.myNulls
WITH (KEEPDEFAULTS) 
	SELECT *
	FROM OPENROWSET (
		BULK 'D:\BCP\myNulls.bcp', 
		FORMATFILE = 'D:\BCP\myNulls.fmt'  
		) AS t1;

-- review results
SELECT * FROM TestDatabase.dbo.myNulls;

• Keep Identity Values When Bulk Importing Data (SQL Server)

• Prepare Data for Bulk Export or Import (SQL Server)

To use a format file

• Create a Format File (SQL Server)

• Use a Format File to Bulk Import Data (SQL Server)

• Use a Format File to Map Table Columns to Data-File Fields (SQL Server)

• Use a Format File to Skip a Data Field (SQL Server)

• Use a Format File to Skip a Table Column (SQL Server)

To use data formats for bulk import or bulk export

• Import Native and Character Format Data from Earlier Versions of SQL Server

• Use Character Format to Import or Export Data (SQL Server)

• Use Native Format to Import or Export Data (SQL Server)

• Use Unicode Character Format to Import or Export Data (SQL Server)

• Use Unicode Native Format to Import or Export Data (SQL Server)

To specify data formats for compatibility when using bcp

• Specify Field and Row Terminators (SQL Server)

• Specify Prefix Length in Data Files by Using bcp (SQL Server)

• Specify File Storage Type by Using bcp (SQL Server)

BACKUP (Transact-SQL)
OPENROWSET (Transact-SQL)
bcp Utility
BULK INSERT (Transact-SQL)
Table Hints (Transact-SQL)