BUG: Identity field remains read-only after executing SET IDENTITY_INSERT ON statement (253157)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Data Access Components 2.1
  • Microsoft Data Access Components 2.1 (GA)
  • Microsoft Data Access Components 2.1 SP1
  • Microsoft Data Access Components 2.1 SP2
  • Microsoft Data Access Components 2.5
  • Microsoft Data Access Components 2.6
  • Microsoft Data Access Components 2.7
  • Microsoft Data Access Components 2.8
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition for Windows 5.0
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Professional Edition for Windows 6.0
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition for Windows 5.0
  • Microsoft Visual Basic Enterprise Edition for Windows 6.0
This article was previously published under Q253157

SYMPTOMS

Identity columns are normally read-only because the server generates the values. However, when you migrate data from one table to another you often want to keep the existing Identity column values rather than use server-generated values. Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 allows you to do this with the SET IDENTITY_INSERT ON statement.

This operates correctly when you use INSERT INTO SQL statements. However, when you insert records through the AddNew method of an ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) Recordset, you receive the following error:
Run-time error '-2147217887 (80040e21)'
Multiple-step OLE DB operation generated errors. Check each OLE DB
status value, if available. No work was done.

CAUSE

The Microsoft SQL Server 7.0 OLE DB provider incorrectly reports to ADO that the Identity column is read-only.

RESOLUTION

Use INSERT INTO SQL statements to add records where you must supply a value for Identity columns.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a bug in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to reproduce the behavior

Use the following steps to reproduce this behavior:
  1. In ISQL or the SQL Server 7.0 Enterprise Manager, create a table in the PUBS database named Table1 with the following fields:

    Name: ID
    DataType: INT (Identity)

    Name: Description
    DataType: VARCHAR (50)

  2. In Visual Basic 5.0 or 6.0, create a Standard EXE project. Form1 is created by default.
  3. Set a reference to:Microsoft Activex Data Objects.

  4. Add a Command button and the following code to Form1:
    Private Sub Command1_Click()
Dim cn As ADODB.Connection, rs As ADODB.Recordset
  Set cn = New ADODB.Connection
  Set rs = New ADODB.Recordset
  cn.Open "Provider=SQLOLEDB;Data Source=servername;Initial Catalog=Pubs;User ID=<username>;Password=<strong password>;"
  cn.Execute "SET IDENTITY_INSERT Table1 ON", , adExecuteNoRecords
  cn.Execute "INSERT INTO Table1(ID, Description) Values (234,'Test Record')"
  rs.Open "SELECT * FROM Table1", cn, adOpenKeyset, adLockOptimistic, adCmdText
  rs.AddNew
  rs!ID = 8   ' <---- fails here
  rs!Description = "Record 8"
  rs.Update
  rs.Close
  cn.Close
End Sub
    Note You must adjust the connect string to point to your server. Make sure that the User ID has the appropriate permissions to perform this operation on the database. Also, in the INSERT INTO statement you must specify the field names when using Identity_Insert.

  5. Run the project and click the Command button. You receive the error listed in the "Symptoms" section.

    Note The INSERT INTO statement completes successfully.

  6. Stop the project and comment the following lines:
      cn.Execute "INSERT INTO Table1(ID, Description) Values (234,'Test Record')"
  cn.Execute "SET IDENTITY_INSERT Table1 ON", , adExecuteNoRecords
  rs!ID = 8
    Run the code again. The INSERT proceeds without error but the record gets a default Identity value.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:4/29/2005
Keywords:kbBug kbpending KB253157
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