How to Properly Map XML to SQL Server Tables

Learn how to effectively insert XML data into SQL Server tables, ensuring all rows and columns are accurately mapped.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: SQL Server - XML to SQL table mapping

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
How to Properly Map XML to SQL Server Tables

In many database operations, developers often need to deal with data in various formats, including XML. A common challenge that arises is how to effectively insert XML data into SQL Server tables without losing any vital information. This post will address a common problem faced by users when they struggle with inserting XML data into SQL tables. Specifically, we will explore how to correctly map that XML structure to a SQL table.

The Problem

Recently, a user encountered issues when trying to insert XML data into a SQL Server table. The XML input appeared structured, yet the SQL Server either added only the first row or just one column of data. Here’s a look at the user's XML:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

To resolve this, we need a clear approach to map the XML data into the SQL Server database. Let's dive into the solution.

The Solution

Understanding the Structure

The XML data consists of two primary sections:

SelectedIds - which contains multiple SelectedId elements.

VendorId - which contains multiple VendorIds.

Each SelectedId represents a session data ID, and the order of these IDs corresponds to the order of VendorIds. Therefore, we need a way to join these two sets based on their position in the XML structure.

SQL Query Breakdown

We can use a Common Table Expression (CTE) to achieve this. Here's how to structure it:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Explanation of the Query

XML Declaration: We first declare a variable to hold our XML data.

CTE Creation:

The first CTE (rs1) extracts SelectedIds and assigns an incremental id using the ROW_NUMBER() function.

The second CTE (rs2) does the same for VendorIds.

Joining CTEs: We join rs1 and rs2 on their sequential id values to match the corresponding SelectedId with its VendorId.

Expected Output

The output of the above SQL will show a table with an association between sessionDataId and vendorId, properly reflecting the order:

idsessionDataIdvendorId138843942460900423884360666090043388435999609004438843945060900453884394636090046388433795609003Conclusion

Mapping XML data into SQL Server tables can seem daunting, but by using structured SQL queries and understanding the relationship between the XML elements, we can effectively manage and insert the data without losing any information. By following the guidelines and query structure provided in this post, you can confidently handle XML data insertion into your SQL Server databases.

If you have any further queries or need clarification, feel free to ask. Happy coding!