Review Data Type Mapping (SQL Server Import and Export Wizard)

Use the Review Data Type Mapping page to review detailed information about data type conversions that the wizard has to perform to make the source data compatible with the destination. This information includes visual cues to distinguish conversions that are expected to succeed from conversions that might cause errors or truncations. For each conversion, you can decide whether to accept the conversion that the wizard suggests, and you can specify how to handle any errors that occur.

To learn more about this wizard, see Using the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard to Move Data. To learn about the options for starting the wizard, and about the permissions required to run the wizard successfully, see How to: Run the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard.

The purpose of the SQL Server Import and Export Wizard is to copy data from a source to a destination. The wizard can also create a destination database and destination tables for you. However, if you have to copy multiple databases or tables, or other kinds of database objects, you should use the Copy Database Wizard instead. For more information, see Using the Copy Database Wizard.

Options

The Review Data Type Mapping page consists of a Table list, a Data type mapping list, and error handling options.

Table List

The upper part of the Review Data Type Issues page is a Table list that lists the tables to be transferred from the source to the destination. The following table describes the columns in this list.

Column

Description

Source icon

Indicates the probability of success for the data type conversions:

  • A green check mark icon indicates that the wizard expects all data type conversions for this table to succeed.

  • A yellow warning icon indicates that you should review the individual conversions that the wizard will perform. To review these conversions, select the table, and then review the conversions for individual columns in the Data type mapping list.

  • A red error icon indicates that the wizard is not able to perform some of the conversions for this table reliably.

Source

Displays the name of the source table.

Destination icon

Indicates whether the destination already exists or will be created by the wizard:

  • A table icon indicates that the destination is an existing table.

  • A table icon with a sunburst indicates that the destination is a new table that the wizard will create.

Destination

Displays the name of the destination table.

To view conversion information about an individual table, select a table in this Table grid. The conversion information for the selected table appears in the columns in the Data type mapping grid in the lower part of the page.

Data type mapping List

The lower part of the Review Data Type Issues page is the Data type mapping list. This grid provides detailed conversion information about the columns in the table that is selected in the Table list. The following table describes the columns in this list.

Column

Description

Conversion icon

Indicates the probability of success for the data type conversions:

  • A green check mark icon indicates that the wizard expects that the data type conversion for this column to succeed.

  • A yellow warning icon indicates that you should review the conversion that the wizard will perform. To review the conversion, double-click on the column to view the Column Conversion Details dialog box.

  • A red error icon indicates that the wizard is not able to perform the conversion reliably.

Source Column

Displays the name of the source column.

Source Type

Displays the data type of the source column.

Destination Column

Displays the name of the destination column.

Destination Type

Displays the data type of the destination column.

Convert

Specify whether the planned conversion should continue:

  • Select the check box to have the wizard continue with the planned conversion.

  • Clear the check box to cancel the data type conversion.

On Error

Specify how the wizard handles errors:

  • Use the On Error (global) setting.

  • Fail with an error, and stop the import or export process.

  • Ignore the error.

On Truncation

Specify how the wizard handles truncation:

  • Use the On Truncation (global) setting.

  • Fail with an error, and stop the import or export process

  • Ignore the truncation.

To view detailed information about the conversion of a particular column of data, double-click any row in the list. The Column Conversion Details dialog box opens and displays more detailed conversion information for the column.

Error Handling Options

  • On Error (global)
    Specify how the wizard handles errors:

    • Fail with an error, and stop the import or export process.

    • Ignore the error, and continue the import or export process.

    This setting applies to all conversions that have Use Global selected in the On Error column of the Data type mapping list.

  • On Truncation (global)
    Specify how the wizard handles truncation:

    • Fail with an error, and stop the import or export process.

    • Ignore the truncation, and continue the import or export process.

    This setting applies to all conversions that have Use Global selected in the On Truncation column of the Data type mapping list.