How to Convert XML to SQL Script? Free DIY Guide
Overview: Have you ever tried to convert XML to SQL script? 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 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 T-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.
Need For XML to SQL Conversion?
We will see in a little easier way why you want to convert XML to SQL script. The points are mentioned below:
- Most of the applications require XML files to be imported into SQL databases.
- When you are having system migrations, then your XML files should be converted into SQL scripts.
- It is done to maintain the data in a structured form to insert into the SQL tables.
- SQL is a powerful query language to report, analyze and dive deeper into the data.
- Developers are required to load data into test databases.
- Also, they face the need to convert some kind of sample data represented as XML to SQL insert statements.
How to Convert XML to SQL Database? Quick & Simple Methods
From this section you are going to see multiple solutions to convert XML files to SQL script. Try these various strategies to tackle levels of the complicated data copy you’re moving.
#1. Secure XML to SQL Conversion – Professional Software
The tool can switch between 11 file formats which includes convert XML to JSON, TXT, DOC, MDB, ACCDB, XLSX, CSV, etc. Whether you are a software developer or a database administrator, you can get full control of the whole conversion which produces high synchronizations during the process.
Tool Steps to Quickly Convert XML Files to SQL Script
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.
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>’;
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 inserts.
- 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 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.
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.