Question

Im trying to copy data only between two SQL server 2008 databases. I need to keep the existing stored procs and functions intact and copy data only. The DB schemas are identical but im running into issues with PK’s.

I first tried:

EXEC sp_MSForEachTable 'ALTER TABLE ? NOCHECK CONSTRAINT ALL'
EXEC sp_MSForEachTable 'DELETE FROM ?'

To remove all data. But get

Failure inserting into the read-only column 

So i then tried to set IDENTITY_INSERT ON across all tables with:

EXEC sp_MSForEachTable 'ALTER TABLE ? NOCHECK CONSTRAINT ALL'
EXEC sp_MSForEachTable 'DELETE FROM ?'
EXEC sp_MSForEachTable  'ALTER TABLE ? SET IDENTITY_INSERT ON'

with no luck.

What is the best way to export data only between two databases, leaving the original procs and functions intact?

Thanks.

Edit: Im using SQL Export to copy the data from source to destination. I need to keep the destinations DBs procs and functions, just copy the data only.

Answer 1

I would probably approach it from a different angle: by scripting all objects via SQL Enterprise Manager into a file and running this file on a blank database. This way, you’ll have all metadata but no actual data in the second database, and you can use it for additional copies in the future.