How to Convert XML to SQL Database? Complete Guide

Do you have the most complex XML files and you want to convert them into a SQL database for more technical work, but you are not sure whether the manual method will work or not, or whether you should go for the automated solution to convert XML to SQL server? Then you are not alone, here we are going to explain the best ways, like manual methods with drawbacks, automated solutions with advanced features, etc. Read the complete blog first, and then choose any solution according to your comfort level and knowledge.

XML file format used by multiple applications to store data in attributes, tags, text, links, etc., and it stands for Extensible Markup Language. And SQL is provided by Microsoft, which is a Relational Database Management System (RDBMS) and used to manage data efficiently.

But there are multiple situations that appear when users want to convert XML to SQL Server, and they don’t know the right method. So, without wasting time, let’s start the process:

How to Convert XML to SQL Database?

Here, we have explained the top 5 methods to parse XML to SQL Server one by one. If you have a large XML file that contains crucial information, then go for the automated solution. And if you have a normal XML file that doesn’t store too many important details, then you can try the manual methods.

Important Note: Try any manual method at your own risk, because these methods contain a high risk of losing data and corruption situations.

How to Parse XML to SQL Server Using Automate Solution?

1. Download and install the XML to SQL converter on your system properly.
   
2. Select the Add Files and Add Folders options to import single or multiple data files and then choose the Next button.
   
3. Browse the XML file from your machine and choose the Open button.
   
4. After that, all your files and folders will appear here and select the required files, and then “Next” button.
   
5. Choose the SQL Script saving option and locate a path to save your file.
   
6. Finally, hit the Export button to convert XML to SQL database and then hit the “OK” icon.
   
7. Lastly, choose the View Report option to analyze conversion.
   

#2: Using Python Programming

This method will help convert XML files to SQL Server in bulk, following the given script:
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}‘);”)

#3: Convert XML to SQL Database Using Excel

MS Excel supports import and formula-based conversion for XML, so use this code to parse XML to SQL securely:

1. Open your MS Excel.
2. Head to the Developer >> Import.
3. Map your XML file to spreadsheet columns.
4. Now make SQL INSERT queries from Excel formulas:

=CONCAT(“INSERT INTO Employees (ID, Name, Department) VALUES (“, A2, “, ‘”, B2, “‘, ‘”, C2, “‘);”)

And use the generated formula.

#4: With Microsoft SQL Server

Firstly, import XML file into a SQL variable by following the code:

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&gt’;

2. Retrieve the data using 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. Finally, generate the SQL script.

#5: Convert XML to SQL Server Table using Online Tool

Many users are finding online tools for this process, but I just want to update you that online tools are not safe for your data. Because of free and open access tools, many customers lose their data.

Online tools are not safe because they are not verified and trustworthy, and also, they can breach and save your information without knowing you. Still, if you want to use it, then the steps are given below:

1. Head to any online XML to SQL converter.
2. Upload your XML files.
3. Choose SQL as your saving type.
4. Select the Download button.
5. Choose your location, and your output data file will be saved.

Drawbacks of Manual Methods

• Technical knowledge about codes, Python, and file formats is required to use manual methods.
• It contains a high risk of losing data and information during the process.
• These methods don’t support bulk processing to convert XML to SQL database.

Final Comment

This blog has explained the best and possible methods to convert XML to SQL database. Here we have explained the 5 top and possible methods, 3 manual methods, 1 online tool, and the rest is the automated solution.

If you have a good knowledge of coding, language, and have a technical background, then you can choose the manual methods. But if you don’t know about file formats or don’t have technical knowledge, then go for the expert tool. This software is available for free to convert a few data files to understand the working process.