Use Sql query to write/create a file

This SQL stored procedure will allow you to write to the file on your file system. Note the file system will be the the same on which the SQL server is running. If you are using this with your local SQL server then it will write and create files on your local file system and if you are on the remote machine, the file system will be the remote file system.

Create Procedure  [dbo].[USP_SaveFile](@text as NVarchar(Max),@Filename Varchar(200)) 
AS 
Begin 
 
declare @Object int,
        @rc int, -- the return code from sp_OA procedures 
        @FileID Int 
 
EXEC @rc = sp_OACreate 'Scripting.FileSystemObject', @Object OUT 
EXEC @rc = sp_OAMethod  @Object , 'OpenTextFile' , @FileID OUT , @Filename , 2 , 1 
Set  @text = Replace(Replace(Replace(@text,'&','&'),'<' ,'<'),'>','>')
EXEC @rc = sp_OAMethod  @FileID , 'WriteLine' , Null , @text  
Exec @rc = master.dbo.sp_OADestroy @FileID   
 
Declare @Append  bit
Select  @Append = 0
 
If @rc <> 0
Begin
    Exec @rc = master.dbo.sp_OAMethod @Object, 'SaveFile',null,@text ,@Filename,@Append
       
End

Exec @rc = master.dbo.sp_OADestroy @Object 
    
End 

But before you start using this procedure you need to reconfigure some advanced SQL server settings. Use the below configuration query to enable 'OLE Automation Procedures'. If this is not enabled and you try executing the procedure you will get errors.

Use master
GO
-- To allow advanced options to be changed.
EXEC sp_configure 'show advanced options', 1
GO
--To enable Ole automation feature
EXEC sp_configure 'Ole Automation Procedures', 1;
GO
RECONFIGURE;
GO

The first parameter will take the text to be written to the file and the second parameter will take the complete path of the file to be created with the text in it. You can also use the same procedure to wite binary files to the file system, you just need to check and change the file extension in the second parameter. Usage:

EXEC USP_SaveFile 'Microsoft SQL Server 2008', 'C:\MSSQL.txt' 

If you enjoyed this post, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed!