Errors in SQL Server while importing CSV file despite varchar(MAX) being used for each column

Question

I\'m trying to insert a large CSV file (several gigs) into SQL Server, but once I go through the Import Wizard and finally try to import the file I

Answer 1

This answer may not apply universally, but it fixed the occurrence of this error I was encountering when importing a small text file. The flat file provider was importing based on fixed 50-character text columns in the source, which was incorrect. No amount of remapping the destination columns affected the issue.

To solve the issue, in the "Choose a Data Source" for the flat-file provider, after selecting the file, a "Suggest Types.." button appears beneath the input column list. After hitting this button, even if no changes were made to the enusing dialog, the Flat File provider then re-queried the source .csv file and then correctly determined the lengths of the fields in the source file.

Once this was done, the import proceeded with no further issues.