How to Import Data From Text File to SQL Table

In this post, we will import data from text file to SQL Server table using SQL Server Import and Export Wizard.

Step-I: Open SQL Server Management Studio and Connect to SQL Instance by clicking on Connect button as shown in the following figure.

Step-II: Right-click on the database(NORTHWIND in this demo) where you want to import table data, move cursor to Tasks and Click on the Import Data…

Step-III: To Select the source from the which to copy data window

Select the Data Source Flat File Source from the drop-down.
Browse the File name which contains the data.
Format should be Delimited Selected.
Header row delimiter should be {CR}{LF} selected.
Check the checkbox Column names in the first data row.
Click on Next button.

Step-IV:

Select the Destination SQL Server Native Client 11.0 from the drop-down list.
Select Server name.
Check Authentication, Use Windows Authentication or Use SQL Server Authentication radio button.
Choose Database from the drop-down where you want to copy data.
Click on Next button.

Step-IV: In the below window there are two tabs, In the first tab there will be source file name along with source path, and in the Destination table there will only be a file name as table name. You can specify different name for table under destination tab. In my case, table name generated as Customers, but I changed it to tblCustomers.