Topic: [SOLVED] Loading data from a csv file

[Jago6060]

Hi all,

I've spent some time googling trying to find a tut to show me how to load data into a postgresql database but haven't found anything that great.  Can anyone point me in the direction of a good one?

[artacus]

http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.3/static/sql-copy.html

[Jago6060]

http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.3/static/sql-copy.html

Ok Just one quick question...the table that I'm importing a CSV into has some 20+ columns/fields but I need to copy csvfile.column1 into table.column18.  Via your provided link, I can't see a way to delineate what columns of the CSV file go into what columns of the table.

[artacus]

No, you won't be able to do that with copy.

Is this a one time thing or is it something you need to process on a continual basis?

If it's a one time thing you can copy/reorder the columns in Excel. You have several options for continual process.
One would be to copy to a staging table and then transform into your regular table. There is pgloader. It will allow you to do transforms before outputting to copy.
http://www.postgresql.org/docs/8.3/static/pgcrypto.html

Another option would be to use an ETL tool. There are loads of them out there.