DTS Designer

Data Transformation Services (DTS) Designer is a tool you can use to import, export, and transform heterogeneous data between one or more databases and an instance of Microsoft® SQL Server™. DTS Designer graphically implements the DTS object model, allowing you to create DTS packages with a wide range of functionality. You can use DTS Designer to:

• Create a simple package (for example, a package that copies data between databases).
  
  
• Create a package that includes complex workflows (for example, a package that contains branches, multiple steps, multiple connections, complicated logic, and event-driven code).
  
  
• Edit an existing package (for example, a package you have created with the DTS Import/Export Wizard).

Accessing DTS Designer

You access DTS Designer through SQL Server Enterprise Manager, through the Data Transformation Services node of the console tree.

DTS Designer User Interface

The DTS Designer graphical user interface allows you to build and configure packages by using drag-and-drop methods and by completing property sheets on the various DTS objects composing the package. The user interface includes:

• The DTS Designer main panel, which consists of the following parts:
  • A design sheet upon which you create workflows by dragging graphical objects that represent DTS tasks, DTS transformations, and precedence constraints.
    
    
  • A menu bar containing selections for package operations, edit operations, data sources, tasks, and workflow items.
    
    
  • A toolbar containing buttons for: creating, saving, and executing a package; printing a workflow; cutting, copying, and pasting graphical objects in a workflow; annotating a workflow; and changing both the workflow layout and the size of a workflow on the design sheet.
    
    
  • A Connection toolbar containing connections for data sources.
    
    
  • A Task toolbar containing DTS tasks.

    You can dock and undock the Connection and Task toolbars by using their shortcut menus.

• Shortcut menus for configuring and editing package components and workflow (for example, connections, tasks, and workflow objects).