Sql Server DTS Truncates Text While Exporting Fix

October 14, 2006

When you use the Data Transformation Services (DTS) Export/Import wizard, DTS may truncate column strings that are over 255 characters long if all of the following conditions exist:


•	The column is a character data type (varchar, char, nvarchar, nchar) and the column length is greater than 255 characters.
•	DTS exports the column to a text file.
•	Delimited fields are used for exporting.

WORKAROUND

loadTOCNode(1, ‘workaround’); Here are several methods that you can use to work around this problem:


•	Use fixed fields and export to a text file with the DTS Wizard or Package Designer. Both the DTS Export/Import Wizard and the DTS Package Designer provide the option to use fixed fields when you export data to a text file. To use the DTS Export/Import wizard, you will see the following prompt when you choose the destination text file:Select Destination File FormatYou want to select Fixed field - information is assigned into columns of equal width. To use the DTS Package Designer, you will see the following prompt when you are setting up the destination text file:Select file formatYou want to select Fixed field - information is assigned into columns of equal width.

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Use fixed fields and export to a text file with the DTS Wizard or Package Designer. Both the DTS Export/Import Wizard and the DTS Package Designer provide the option to use fixed fields when you export data to a text file. To use the DTS Export/Import wizard, you will see the following prompt when you choose the destination text file:Select Destination File FormatYou want to select Fixed field - information is assigned into columns of equal width. To use the DTS Package Designer, you will see the following prompt when you are setting up the destination text file:Select file formatYou want to select Fixed field - information is assigned into columns of equal width.