Let’s fix the “sql server bcp error string data right truncation” in this article. As part of our SQL Server Support Service, Bobcares provides answers to all of your questions.

Overview

1. Resolving the “SQL Server BCP Error: String Data Right Truncation”
2. Causes of the Error
3. How to Fix It?
4. Conclusion

Resolving the “SQL Server BCP Error: String Data Right Truncation”

The “SQL Server BCP error” occurs when data being imported during a Bulk Copy Operation (BCP) is too long for the target column. This usually happens when the string data exceeds the column’s defined length in the SQL Server table.

Causes of the Error

• Column Size Mismatch: The data exceeds the column’s defined size, like inserting a string longer than the allowed length (e.g., a 15-character string in a VARCHAR(10) column).

• Data File Inconsistencies: The external file (e.g., CSV) may contain strings that are too long for the target column.

• Schema Mismatch: Differences in column sizes or data types between the source and target tables.

• Incorrect Data Formatting: The data file might have extra characters or inconsistent string lengths, causing mismatches.

• Multibyte Character Sets: Unicode characters in the source data may exceed the space available in a non-Unicode column.

How to Fix It?

• Check Column Definitions: Verify the data types and lengths of columns in the SQL Server table.

• Examine the Data: Check the data file to ensure no field exceeds the column length in the SQL table.

• Increase Column Length: If needed, increase the column size in SQL Server to accommodate the larger data.

• Pre-Process the Data: Trim or truncate the data in the file before importing it.

• Use BCP Format Files: Create a BCP format file to map the data correctly if the file structure is complex.

• Ensure Proper Character Encoding: Use NVARCHAR for columns if the source contains multibyte characters like Unicode.

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Conclusion

By addressing these issues using the steps mentioned in this article, we can prevent and resolve the “right truncation” error during BCP operations.