BULK INSERT with inconsistent number of columns

Question

I am trying to load a large amount data in SQL server from a flat file using BULK INSERT. However, my file has varying number of columns, for instance the first row contains

Answer 1

My workaround (tested in T-SQL):

1. Create table with colum count = minimum column count of your import file
2. Run bulk insert (it will succeed now)

In last table column, you will find all rest items (including your item separator)

If it is necessery for you, create another full-columned table, copy all columns from first table, and do some parsing only over last column.

Example file

alpha , beta , gamma
one   , two  , three , four

will look like this in your table:

c1      | c2     | c3
"alpha" | "beta" | "gamma"
"one"   | "two"  | "three , four"