JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a popular data exchange format that is widely supported by many applications. SQL Server also provides support for importing and exporting JSON data, allowing you to exchange data with different sources and applications.

In this article, we will explore the process of importing JSON data into a SQL Server table using T-SQL and SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services).

Importing JSON Data using T-SQL

The first step in importing JSON data into a SQL Server table is to load the JSON file content into a table. This can be done using the OPENROWSET function, which reads data from a file and returns a table in the output.

Here is an example of how to import a JSON file using OPENROWSET:

SELECT * FROM OPENROWSET(BULK 'C:\path\to\file.json', SINGLE_CLOB) AS import

Once the JSON file is imported, you can use the OPENJSON function to convert the JSON output into a tabular format. This function returns the JSON object array as rows and columns, which can then be inserted into a SQL Server table.

Here is an example of how to convert JSON output into a tabular format using OPENJSON:

DECLARE @JSON VARCHAR(MAX)
SELECT @JSON = BulkColumn FROM OPENROWSET(BULK 'C:\path\to\file.json', SINGLE_CLOB) AS import
SELECT * FROM OPENJSON(@JSON) WITH (
    [Column1] VARCHAR(50),
    [Column2] INT,
    [Column3] DATETIME
)

By specifying the column names and their data types in the WITH clause, you can ensure that the JSON data is converted correctly and inserted into the SQL Server table.

Importing JSON Data using SSIS

If you are familiar with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), you can also use it to import JSON data into a SQL Server table. SSIS provides a visual interface for designing and executing data integration workflows.

To import JSON data using SSIS, you can create a new SSIS package and use the Data Flow Task to define the data import process. Within the Data Flow Task, you can use the OLE DB Source component to read the JSON data and the OLE DB Destination component to insert the data into the SQL Server table.

Here is a high-level overview of the steps involved in importing JSON data using SSIS:

1. Create a new SSIS package and add a Data Flow Task.
2. Within the Data Flow Task, add an OLE DB Source component and configure it to read the JSON data.
3. Add an OLE DB Destination component and configure it to insert the data into the SQL Server table.
4. Map the source and destination columns.
5. Execute the SSIS package to import the JSON data into the SQL Server table.

Using SSIS for importing JSON data provides a more visual and intuitive approach, especially for complex data integration scenarios.

Conclusion

In this article, we have explored two methods for importing JSON data into a SQL Server table: using T-SQL and SSIS. Both methods provide flexibility and convenience for handling JSON data and integrating it into your SQL Server environment.

Whether you prefer the simplicity of T-SQL or the visual power of SSIS, you now have the tools and knowledge to import JSON data into your SQL Server tables with ease.