How to Import Data from SQL Server to SharePoint with List Bulk Import 2.5

How to Import Data from SQL Server to SharePoint with List Bulk Import 2.5

by | Jul 4, 2012 | The Bamboo Team Blog

Update: List Bulk Import is now available from the Bamboo Solutions storefront.

List Bulk Import allows users to migrate documents, pictures, and list data into SharePoint from: legacy databases; spreadsheets; SharePoint to SharePoint Server; Office 365; Claims-based and Forms-based Authentication environments; and/or any SharePoint document management application with large volumes of data and/or documents that need to be widely accessed. In addition, List Bulk Import allows users to schedule imports with the template file which is created while importing, taking advantage of one of the best features in BI.

In this article, I will demonstrate how to import data from SQL Server to a SharePoint site.

Verify Source Data

List Bulk Import supports both SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008 tables and views through ODBC connection. List Bulk Import has been certified to support the following attribute types:

Char

Vchar

Ntext

Date

Datetime

Decimal

Real

Float

To prepare, you will need to create an ODBC connection on your computer.  Here are the basic steps:

Go to Start → Administrative Tools → Data Sources (ODBC):

In the tab User DSN, click on the Add button:

Select SQL Server then click Finish:

Enter a Name and Description to describe the ODBC connection.  In the Server field, enter the name (or IP Address) of your SQL Server and click Next.  NOTE: If the Name Instance of your SQL Server is not the default, make sure you include the proper instance name, for example [ServerName][InstanceName]:

Select the method which you want to use to authenticate to your SQL Server and select Next:

In the “Change the default database to” field, select the database where your source data resides. Leave the other settings as they appear, and click Next:

Leave the settings on this screen as they appear, and click Finish:

Select Test Data Source to confirm that your computer can successfully connect to your SQL Server:

If there is a successful connection, you will see the message: TEST COMPLETED SUCCESSFULLY!:

Creating an import job in List Bulk Import

After successfully connecting to your target site, select Create Import Job from the main landing screen. In the Location of Source Data, select the SQL Server (ODBC Driver) option. A new drop-down menu will appear.  Locate the ODBC data source you just created above and select Next:

In the Source Information tab, all Tables and Views found in the connected SQL Server database will be listed. Select the appropriate Table or View for import:

Performing a reset of the configuration is fairly straightforward, but if you need a refresher, check out How to Import an Excel File with List Bulk Import 2.5, which also provides a detailed walk through of the import process from start to finish.

If you’re ready to give release 2.5 of List Bulk Import a try, it’s available in Bamboo Labs as a free download today! With this Beta version, there is a 15-item limit, and the trial is good for 30 days. If you like what you see, you can purchase a license key from the storefront to fully activate the product and circumvent the 15-item limit. Please note that this Labs version of the product is still in Beta and we ask for your patience if you experience any issues. To report any problems you may encounter, please go to the List Bulk Import 2.5 forum and post your feedback there.

Happy importing!

Read the entire series celebrating the release to Bamboo Labs of List Bulk Import 2.5:

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