Most efficient way to copy many rows between tables? 1

[ookete]

I need to copy several million rows of data from a linked server into a database table. I am a little hesitant to just

INSERT INTO xxx (...)
SELECT (...)
FROM

Is this the best way? Are the Export/Import tools more efficient than the above simple query? What about Bulk Insert? I have never used that before.

Thanks for any advice!

 

[hmckillop]

Have a look at this faq, its probably the handiest

http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=3141

Alternatively you could import the data via SSIS, but the above method covers everything you should need to know.

Any questions just pop another note on,

cheers

"I'm living so far beyond my income that we may almost be said to be living apart

 

[ookete]

This is very useful, it should work well for me. Thanks!

 

[genomon]

Have you tried bcp? Do a help search on "Optimizing Bulk Copy Performance".

Ever notice how fast Windows runs? Me neither.