PRB: BCP Truncates Data when Data Length Is Too Long

Last reviewed: April 28, 1997
Article ID: Q96777

The information in this article applies to:

  - Microsoft SQL Server Programmer's Toolkit, version 4.2

SYMPTOMS

When attempting to use the Bulk Copy Utility (BCP) to load data into SQL Server using character mode, the following error message may be displayed:

   DB-Library error:
      Attempt to bulk-copy an oversized row to the SQL Server.

However, all data appears to have been loaded, and the BCP error file is empty.

CAUSE

Version 4.2 of BCP will generate the above message when the length of a character string exceeds the allowable length of the field. The data will be loaded, but characters exceeding the maximum field length will be truncated.

WORKAROUND

It is important that you compare the data file and the table to ensure that the truncated information is of no value. If the data is important, you will need to take steps to recreate the table, allowing for a larger character field.

Additional query words: /c
Keywords : kbtool SSrvBCP
Version : 4.2 | 4.2 4.2a
Platform : MS-DOS OS/2

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Last reviewed: April 28, 1997
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