How to Convert XML to SQL Script? Free DIY Guide

Overview: Have you ever tried to convert XML to SQL database? If it’s No. Then, read the whole article where you will get to know the reasons, and various reliable methods that help you to achieve XML to SQL server conversion.

As this is the need of every user working in an organization, or running multiple businesses. Converting to SQL databases helps users to store ample amounts of data & manage them efficiently. Before moving further, let’s study both initial and end file formats of the current process.

XML is a structured file known as Extensible Markup Language. It is a standard format for data storage and exchanging data. Although SQL databases are really not that radical. They are the core of a lot of enterprise systems.

Since developers can employ them to store, manipulate, and query data. Converting XML files to SQL scripts are when companies upgrade their systems or merge databases. This makes it possible for them to easily import data directly into the database.

How to Import XML to SQL Database? Quick & Simple Methods

We will convert multiple XML files to SQL server using a professional solution which can easily complete the process without losing any data and also, we can import using Microsoft SQL server, using XSLT, with Excel spreadsheet, Python language, and online tools. All methods have some benefits as well as drawbacks, which are given mentioned below:

How to Convert XML to SQL Server? Quick Steps

1. Download & Install SysTools XML to SQL converter.
   
2. Click “Add File(s)” or “Add Folder” to import the XML file.
   
3. Click the “Open” button after you select your XML file to convert.
   
4. You now should see all the XML files you’ve recently added.
   
5. Now push “Next” to start splitting.
   
6. Here, specify the “Destination Path” for which the XML should be saved.
   
7. Next, select the “Export” button below and convert your files into SQL table.
8. At the end, it will show with a pop-up Export completed successfully. Just tap the “OK” button.
   
9. Now, click on the “View Report” button and get your full report into your system.
   

#2. Going with Microsoft SQL Server (Using XML Function)

Microsoft SQL Server provides native XML parsing capabilities. Use these codes one by one steps from below onwards.

1. Insert XML File into a SQL Variable

DECLARE @xml XML;

SET @xml = ‘

<Employees>

<Employee>

<ID>1</ID>

<Name>John</Name>

<Department>HR</Department>

</Employee>

<Employee>

<ID>2</ID>

<Name>Jane</Name>

<Department>Finance</Department>

</Employee>

</Employees&gt’;

2. Fetch the data with the nodes() and value() methods:

SELECT

x.value(‘(ID)[1]’, ‘INT’) AS ID,

x.value(‘(Name)[1]’, ‘VARCHAR(50)’) AS Name,

x.value(‘(Department)[1]’, ‘VARCHAR(50)’) AS Department

FROM

@xml.nodes(‘/Employees/Employee’) AS T(x);

3. Generate SQL Insert Script:

You can use the result from above to build up SQL INSERT statements manually or in a program.

#3. Use XSLT to Convert XML to SQL Script

Here we are using the XSLT to change the xml to sql. Read & follow the steps from below:

• Create an XSL that describes how to convert XML to SQL table.
• Run the XSLT with an XML editor such as Oxygen XML Editor or via an online tool.
• Example XSL Template:

<xsl:template match=”/Employees”>

<xsl:for-each select=”Employee”>

INSERT INTO Employees (ID, Name, Department) VALUES (

‘<xsl:value-of select=”ID”/>’,

‘<xsl:value-of select=”Name”/>’,

‘<xsl:value-of select=”Department”/>’);

</xsl:for-each>

</xsl:template>

#4. Change XML to SQL Table Using Excel

Excel supports XML import and formula-based conversion. Type this line of codes to convert XML to SQL securely.

• Open Microsoft Excel, then go to Developer > Import to import XML data.
• Map XML concepts to spreadsheet columns.
• Create SQL INSERT queries from Excel formulas:

=CONCAT(“INSERT INTO Employees (ID, Name, Department) VALUES (“, A2, “, ‘”, B2, “‘, ‘”, C2, “‘);”)

• Paste the generated formula result as SQL string.

#5. Create Script Using Python Programming

This option is good especially if you are doing a bulk conversion or else the script can make the files in the directory in the following step.

One of the Example:

import xml.etree.ElementTree as ET

tree = ET.parse(’employees.xml’ )
root = tree.getroot()

for emp in root.findall(‘Employee’):
id = emp.find(‘ID’).text
name = emp.find(‘Name’).text
dept = emp.find(‘Dept’ ).text
print (f”INSERT INTO Employees (ID, Name, Dept) VALUES ({id }, ‘{name}‘, ‘{dept}‘);”)

#6. Convert Using XML to SQL Converter – Online Tools

There are plenty of free utilities on the web like code beautify, SQLizer, convert town, which will automatically convert XML to SQL INSERT statements.

General Steps of Using Online Tools:

• First, paste XML data or upload files.
• Then, it auto-converts tables to INSERT statements
• It supports basic XML structures to begin the process.

Please Make a Note:

• Firstly, ensure that your XML file structure and form are proper.
• Always preview the output to make sure it is correct before using it for future use.
• Don’t put sensitive or private xml data on the web without knowing.

What are the Drawbacks of Manual Methods?

• Technical knowledge about Codes and Python language is required to convert XML to SQL table format.
• Manual methods can’t convert multiple XML files at the same times, so you have to follow all steps again and again for each file, and process will become tedious.
• Also, these methods don’t provide 100% surety that they will maintain the original formatting and hierarchy during the process.
• The online XML to SQL converter contains high risk of losing data and breaching data.

Sum Up

There is a requirement where we need to convert XML to SQL script to put data in tables form. Manual approaches such as the parsing of SQL Server, working with Excel formulas, and writing scripts in Python allows full control. Online tools are fast and easy, but they all come with certain limitations and you can’t escape them. All these methods contain codes which may not be suitable for non-tech users. For this, i suggest you opt our professional software which can be used by both technical & non-technical users. As, it provides data security and gives error-free conversion.