Question

I am trying to bulk insert a csv file located on a remote web server but i am getting the following error.

Cannot bulk load because the file “http://34.34.32.34/test.csv” could
not be opened. Operating system error code 123(The filename, directory
name, or volume label syntax is incorrect.).

Is there anyway to accomplish this?

Answer 1

The documentation for BULK INSERT says nothing about SQL Server being able to connect to web servers.

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms188365.aspx

‘ data_file ‘ Is the full path of the data file that contains data to
import into the specified table or view. BULK INSERT can import data
from a disk (including network, floppy disk, hard disk, and so on).

data_file must specify a valid path from the server on which SQL
Server is running. If data_file is a remote file, specify the
Universal Naming Convention (UNC) name. A UNC name has the form
\Systemname\ShareName\Path\FileName. For example,
\SystemX\DiskZ\Sales\update.txt.

If you must import a file from HTTP, consider writing a CLR stored procedure or using SSIS’ external connectivity capabilities.