By Bemi Brooks 
Picture this: You’ve built a beautiful SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) package to automate a critical data load. You hit “Execute,” expecting to see thousands of rows swiftly streaming into your destination table. Instead, you’re met with a jarring red “X” and the dreaded SSIS 469 error. Your data pipeline has slammed to a halt. If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. This common yet confusing error is a classic “gotcha” moment for many data professionals. But don’t worry—the solution is often simpler than you think.
What Exactly is the SSIS 469 Error?
Let’s break it down in plain English. Think of your SQL Server table as a highly organized event with a strict guest list. The IDENTITY column is like an automated ticket machine at the entrance, handing out sequential ticket numbers (1, 2, 3…) to every new guest (row) that arrives.
Now, imagine you’re trying to do a bulk load—a fast-pass entry for a large group. You use the KEEPIDENTITY hint, which is like saying, “Hey, we have our own pre-printed tickets; don’t use your machine.” SQL Server’s security, in this case, throws error 469. It’s essentially saying, “Whoa, hold on! If you’re bringing your own tickets, I need to see an explicit list of every guest’s details to make sure everything is in order.”
In technical terms: Error 469 occurs during a bulk insert or a fast-load operation from an SSIS OLE DB Destination when:
- The destination table has an IDENTITY column.
- You are using the
KEEPIDENTITYhint (either explicitly or because SSIS has set it automatically). - You have not provided an explicit column list in your
INSERTstatement.
SQL Server gets confused because it doesn’t know which source column maps to the IDENTITY column in the destination. It needs a clear, explicit instruction manual.
The Root Cause: A Simple Miscommunication
The heart of the SSIS 469 problem is a mismatch in expectations. Your SSIS data flow is trying to do a powerful, high-speed insert, but it hasn’t given SQL Server the precise directions it requires for handling sensitive IDENTITY values.
This often happens automatically behind the scenes. When you configure an OLE DB Destination with the “Table or view – fast load” data access mode, SSIS is smart—sometimes too smart. If it detects that your source data contains a column for the identity values, it will automatically try to use the KEEPIDENTITY hint to preserve those values. This is a useful feature, but it backfires if you haven’t set up the column mapping correctly.
Common Scenarios Triggering Error 469
| Scenario | Why It Fails |
|---|---|
| Fast Load in SSIS | The OLE DB Destination component automatically uses KEEPIDENTITY when it sees an identity-mapped column, but the underlying SQL command lacks a column list. |
| Explicit KEEPIDENTITY | You’ve manually added the KEEPIDENTITY hint to a BULK INSERT statement or T-SQL command without specifying which columns to insert. |
| Migrating Data | You’re moving data from one table to another, and you need to retain the original primary key values, leading to the identity clash. |
Your Step-by-Step Fix for the SSIS 469 Error
Fixing this error isn’t about complex code rewrites; it’s about providing that missing piece of information. Here’s how to do it in the SSIS environment.
Step 1: Open the Column Mappings
First, in your SQL Server Data Tools (SSIS) project, double-click on the OLE DB Destination component that is causing the error. This will open its properties editor.
Step 2: Navigate to the “Mappings” Page
On the left-hand side of the editor, click on Mappings. This is the most crucial screen. Here, you will see how the input columns from your data flow are connected to the destination columns in your table.
Step 3: Provide the Explicit Column List
This is the magic step. You need to tell SSIS to generate a command that includes every column by name. To do this:
- Go back to the Connection Manager page within the OLE DB Destination editor.
- Change the Data access mode from “Table or view – fast load” to “Table or view – fast load”.
- Wait, what? Yes, you read that correctly. Stay in the same mode. The trick is in what you do next.
- Now, click the New… button next to the “Name of the table or view” field. This will open a window showing the
CREATE TABLEstatement for your destination. - Ignore the
CREATE TABLEstatement. Instead, simply click OK.
By clicking “New” and then “OK,” you force the SSIS designer to re-select the table. This automatically generates a new internal command that includes an explicit column list for the fast-load operation. It’s a simple click that does all the heavy lifting.
Step 4: Verify and Run
Go back to the Mappings page. You should see that all your columns are still correctly mapped. If any are unmapped, simply drag the available input column to the correct destination column. Click OK, and then run your package again. The data should now load without the SSIS 469 error!
Beyond the Click: Understanding the “Why”
What exactly did that “New” button do? Let’s pull back the curtain. When you use the fast-load option, SSIS generates a specialized internal command. Before the fix, the command might have looked something like this internally:
sql
INSERT INTO [YourTable] WITH (TABLOCK, KEEPIDENTITY) ...
This is vague and causes the error.
After you re-select the table, SSIS now generates a command with an explicit column list, like:
sql
INSERT INTO [YourTable] ([ID], [Name], [Email], [Date]) WITH (TABLOCK, KEEPIDENTITY) ...
By providing this explicit list, you’ve given SQL Server the clear instructions it needs. It now knows that the incoming data for the [ID] column is intended to override the identity generator, and everything is authorized. It’s the difference between saying “I have a group of people” and “I have Alice, Bob, and Charlie, and here are their details.”
3 Actionable Tips to Try Today
- Make Mapping a Habit: Always check the “Mappings” page of your OLE DB Destination before running a package for the first time. A quick visual scan can prevent many common errors, not just 469.
- Test with Identity Inserts: If you are developing a package that you know will need to preserve identity values, do a quick test with a small dataset early in your development cycle. Catching the 469 error early saves debugging time later.
- Document Your Data Flows: For complex packages, a simple text annotation on the SSIS canvas explaining that “This flow uses KEEPIDENTITY for key preservation” can be a lifesaver for you or your teammates months down the line.
Dealing with errors like SSIS 469 is just part of the journey to mastering data integration. By understanding the “why” and having a reliable fix in your toolkit, you can transform a frustrating roadblock into a minor speed bump.
Have you encountered other tricky SSIS errors? What’s your go-to debugging strategy? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—let’s learn from each other!
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FAQs
Can I just remove the KEEPIDENTITY hint to fix the error?
You can, but it changes the behavior. Removing KEEPIDENTITY means SQL Server will ignore the identity values in your source data and generate new ones automatically. Only do this if you don’t need to preserve the original identity values.
Does this error only happen in SSIS?
No, you can also encounter it when using the T-SQL BULK INSERT command or the bcp utility with the -E flag (which is the equivalent of KEEPIDENTITY) without an explicit column list.
What if re-selecting the table doesn’t work?
Double-check that your source and destination columns have compatible data types. Also, ensure that the identity column in your destination is truly mapped to a column in your data flow. Sometimes, the mapping gets lost and needs to be recreated manually.
Is using “Table or view” (non-fast load) a good workaround?
It will work, as it typically doesn’t use KEEPIDENTITY in the same way, but it comes with a massive performance penalty. The fast-load option is designed for high-volume inserts, so it’s always better to fix the mapping and keep the fast load.
Will I get this error if I’m not providing a value for the identity column?
Typically, no. If your data flow does not include a source column for the identity value, SSIS won’t try to use the KEEPIDENTITY hint, and SQL Server will happily generate new identity values for you.
Can I write a custom SQL command instead of using a table name?
Yes. In the OLE DB Destination, select “Table or view – fast load” and then, in the “Name of the table or view” field, write a query with an explicit column list (e.g., SELECT Col1, Col2 FROM MyTable). This gives you full control.
What’s the difference between KEEPIDENTITY and IDENTITY_INSERT?KEEPIDENTITY is a hint specific to bulk operations. SET IDENTITY_INSERT [TableName] ON is a T-SQL session setting that allows standard INSERT statements to specify values for an identity column. They achieve a similar goal but in different contexts.