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    copied!<p>Welcome to the worst possible way to store data and try to import it into a database. If at all possible do not let them create garbage Excel spreadsheets like that. That method is bound to create very many bugs in the data imports and you will hate your life forever if you have to support this mess. </p> <p>I can't believe I'm even suggesting this, but can you get them to use a simple Access database instead? It could even link directly to the SQL server database and store the data correctly. By using Access forms, the users will find it relatively easy to add and maintain information and you will have far fewer problems than trying to import Excel data in the form you described. It would be a far less expensive and far less error prone solution to your problem.</p> <p>You are stuck with the format, the best way I have found to do something like ths is to import it as is into a staging table add the ids to every subordinate row (you may end up looping to do this) and then drag the information out to relational staging tables and then import into the production database. </p> <p>You can create all this using SSIS but it won't be easy, it won't quick and it will be very prone to bugs if users aren't disciplined abnout exactly how they enter data (and they never are without a set of forms to fill out). Make sure you reject the Excel spreadsheet completely and send it back to the user if it strays at all from the prescribed struture. Trust me on this.</p> <p>I's estimate the Access solution to take about a month and the Excel solution to take at least six months of development. Really that's how bad this is going to be. </p>
 

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