BUG: DTS Imports Empty Strings for Character Strings That Were Exported as NULLs (300640)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (all editions)
This article was previously published under Q300640
BUG #: 353985 (SHILOH_BUGS)

SYMPTOMS

If you use Data Transformation Services (DTS) to export and then import a table that contains NULL values in character or text columns, and you either use delimited fields and double quotes as the text identifier or you use fixed-length fields, the NULLs will be imported as empty strings.

CAUSE

With quote qualifiers, a null is exported as "", but "" is imported as an empty string.

WORKAROUND

Change the DTS package to use delimited files and no text qualifier, or use the bulk copy program (BCP).

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in SQL Server 2000.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/16/2003
Keywords:kbbug kbpending KB300640
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