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How to Change Comma Separated Values to Text in SQL

Comma-separated value (CSV) refers to plain text files that consist of strings of raw information organized into separate values by commas. For example, a file could consist of the text "a,b,c,d,e" to represent five different rows or columns. Users can find large CSV files difficult to read because of the way the text displays. Fortunately, a database administrator can use SQL database language to convert comma-separated values to more legible text.

Instructions

- 1
  Run the SQL manager of your preference.
- 2
  Open the "SQL editor" window. Type:
  
  "CREATE FUNCTION dbo.Split(@String varchar(8000), @Delimiter char(1)) / returns @temptable TABLE (items varchar(8000)) / as / begin / declare @idx int / declare @slice varchar(8000) / select @idx = 1 / if len(@String)<1 or @String is null return / while @idx! = 0 / begin / set @idx = charindex(@Delimiter,@String) / if @idx !=0 / set @slice = left(@String,@idx -- 1) / else / set @slice = @String / if(len(@slice)>0) / insert into @temptable(Items) values(@slice) / set @String = right(@String,len(@String) - @idx) / if len(@String) = 0 break / end / return / end"
  
  -- without the quotation marks. Replace each "/" with a line break.
- 3
  Save the function in the "SQL editor" window.
- 4
  Open the "SQL report" window. Type "select * from dbo.split(CSV file)" -- without the quotation marks. Replace "CSV file" with the location of the comma-separated value file. Run the report.
- 5
  Click "File" then "Save As." Enter your desired name for the file and select "Text" for the file format. Click "Save."

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