Sparse columns were added with SQL Server 2008 as a new feature that helps save space when columns have a high ratio of NULL values. We have a couple of very large and wide tables with Nullable columns and most of them don’t have data. We’d like to take advantage of sparse columns to save space. We ran SSIS (SQL Server Integration Services) Data Profiling Task to find sparse columns candidates (Null Ratio profile). With more than 500 candidate columns it will be hard to review and alter each column individually. How can we use the SSIS Data Profiling output XML file? Can we generate a script to modify columns based on Data Profiling output and apply to this script sparse columns requirements/restrictions?

Please read the latest MSSQLTips post: “Generate SQL Server Sparse Columns Script“.

Check out all of my tips here: http://www.mssqltips.com/sqlserverauthor/94/svetlana-golovko/.