SSIS 469 Error Code: Step-by-Step Fix for Data Type Mismatch Problems
SSIS 469 is typically a data type mismatch or conversion error that occurs when SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) tries to convert or insert data between incompatible column types — especially when moving data between sources and destinations (e.g., Excel → SQL Server, CSV → Table, etc.).
This error message usually looks something like:
“SSIS Error Code DTS_E_DATA_CONVERSION_FAILED (469): Data conversion failed while converting column [ColumnName]. The conversion returned status value 4 and status text ‘Text was truncated or one or more characters had no match in the target code page.’”
Common Causes of SSIS Error 469
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Data type mismatch | The source and destination column types don’t match (e.g., string to integer). |
| Code page / encoding mismatch | The data contains special or Unicode characters that can’t convert properly. |
| Truncation | The destination column length is too short for the source data (e.g., VARCHAR(50) receiving 100 characters). |
| NULL or unexpected values | The source column contains NULL or invalid data that cannot be cast. |
| Excel or flat file import issue | Excel sometimes infers incorrect data types (e.g., numeric instead of text). |
Step-by-Step Solution for SSIS 469
Step 1: Identify the Problem Column
- Run the SSIS package again with data viewers or enable logging in the Data Flow task.
- Check which column name and row number cause the failure.
Step 2: Check Data Type Mapping
- Compare source and destination data types.
- Example:
- Source:
DT_STR(string, non-Unicode) - Destination:
NVARCHAR(Unicode string) - ✅ Fix: Use Data Conversion Transformation to convert
DT_STR→DT_WSTR.
- Source:
Step 3: Add a Data Conversion Transformation
- In the Data Flow:
- Drag a Data Conversion component between source and destination.
- Convert columns to compatible types (e.g.,
DT_WSTRfor Unicode text). - Map converted columns in the destination.
Step 4: Increase Column Length (if truncation)
- If truncation is the issue, check the destination table schema:
- Run
sp_help <table_name>in SQL Server. - Increase column size (e.g.,
ALTER TABLE dbo.TableName ALTER COLUMN ColumnName NVARCHAR(200)).
- Run
Step 5: Handle NULL or Invalid Data
- Use a Derived Column Transformation to replace or clean data:
ISNULL([Column]) ? "" : [Column] - Or, use Conditional Split to redirect bad rows to an error output.
Step 6: Verify Code Page Settings
- If you’re importing from Flat Files, ensure correct code page (e.g., 65001 for UTF-8).
- Use “Unicode” option for text-heavy data with special characters.
Example: Fixing Error 469 in Excel-to-SQL Import
Scenario:
You’re importing an Excel file where the “CustomerName” column contains accented characters (é, ñ, ü), and the SQL column is VARCHAR(50).
Problem:
Excel → SSIS → SQL causes error (469) due to non-Unicode character conversion.
Solution:
- Add a Data Conversion Transformation.
- Convert “CustomerName” to
DT_WSTR. - Change SQL column to
NVARCHAR(100). - Run package again — ✅ no error.
Additional Tips to Prevent SSIS 469 in Future
- Always preview source data in the flat file/Excel connection manager.
- Use Unicode (DT_WSTR) data types when in doubt.
- Set ValidateExternalMetadata = False for flexible source changes.
- Maintain consistent column lengths across all tables.
- Enable error output redirection in SSIS to capture failed rows for debugging.
Example Table: Common Data Type Mappings
| Source Type | SSIS Type | SQL Server Type | Recommended Fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Text (non-Unicode) | DT_STR | VARCHAR | Convert to DT_WSTR → NVARCHAR |
| Unicode Text | DT_WSTR | NVARCHAR | Match lengths correctly |
| Integer | DT_I4 | INT | Ensure numeric-only data |
| Decimal | DT_NUMERIC | DECIMAL(precision, scale) | Align precision & scale |
| Date/Time | DT_DATE | DATETIME | Use proper format in flat file |
Conclusion About SSIS 469
SSIS Error 469 is primarily a data conversion or truncation issue caused by mismatched data types, code pages, or insufficient column lengths.
By carefully checking column mappings, using the Data Conversion transformation, and adjusting destination schemas, you can permanently eliminate this error and ensure smooth ETL operations.
FAQs About SSIS 469
1. What does SSIS error 469 mean?
SSIS 469 means there was a failure during data conversion, often due to incompatible data types or truncated text.
2. How do I fix SSIS data conversion errors?
Use a Data Conversion Transformation, verify type compatibility, and check for truncation or encoding mismatches.
3. Can Unicode characters cause SSIS 469?
Yes. Unicode or special characters can trigger this error if the target column is non-Unicode (VARCHAR instead of NVARCHAR).
4. Does increasing column length help?
Yes, if the error is truncation-related. Expanding column size can resolve the issue.
5. How can I prevent SSIS 469 in the future?
Always validate data types between source and destination, use Unicode where needed, and enable detailed logging to detect conversion issues early.
