# Step 9: Import Data

## Overview

This page details step 9 of the 9-step procedure "[Deploy ColumnStore Shared Local Storage Topology](https://mariadb.com/docs/server/architecture/topologies/columnstore-shared-local-storage)".

This step bulk imports data to Enterprise ColumnStore.

Interactive commands are detailed. Alternatively, the described operations can be performed using automation.

## Import the Schema

Before data can be imported into the tables, create a matching schema.

**On the primary server**, create the schema:

1. For each database that you are importing, create the database with the CREATE DATABASE statement:

```sql
CREATE DATABASE inventory;
```

2. For each table that you are importing, create the table with the CREATE TABLE statement:

```sql
CREATE TABLE inventory.products (
   product_name VARCHAR(11) NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
   supplier VARCHAR(128) NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
   quantity VARCHAR(128) NOT NULL DEFAULT '',
   unit_cost VARCHAR(128) NOT NULL DEFAULT ''
) ENGINE=Columnstore DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8;
```

## Import the Data

Enterprise ColumnStore supports multiple methods to import data into ColumnStore tables.

| Interface       | Method                                                 | Benefits                                                                                      |
| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------ | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Shell           | [cpimport](#cpimport)                                  | <ul><li>SQL access is not required</li></ul>                                                  |
| SQL             | [LOAD DATA INFILE](#load-data-infile)                  | <ul><li>Shell access is not required</li></ul>                                                |
| Remote Database | [Remote Database Import](#import-from-remote-database) | <ul><li>Use normal database client</li><li>Avoid dumping data to intermediate filed</li></ul> |

### cpimport

MariaDB Enterprise ColumnStore includes [cpimport](https://app.gitbook.com/s/rBEU9juWLfTDcdwF3Q14/mariadb-columnstore/clients-and-tools/data-import/mariadb-enterprise-columnstore-data-loading-with-cpimport), which is a command-line utility designed to efficiently load data in bulk. Alternative methods are available.

To import your data from a TSV (tab-separated values) file, on the primary server run [cpimport](https://app.gitbook.com/s/rBEU9juWLfTDcdwF3Q14/mariadb-columnstore/clients-and-tools/data-import/mariadb-enterprise-columnstore-data-loading-with-cpimport):

```bash
$ sudo cpimport -s '\t' inventory products /tmp/inventory-products.tsv
```

### LOAD DATA INFILE

When data is loaded with the LOAD DATA INFILE statement, MariaDB Enterprise ColumnStore loads the data using [cpimport](https://app.gitbook.com/s/rBEU9juWLfTDcdwF3Q14/mariadb-columnstore/clients-and-tools/data-import/mariadb-enterprise-columnstore-data-loading-with-cpimport), which is a command-line utility designed to efficiently load data in bulk. Alternative methods are available.

To import your data from a TSV (tab-separated values) file, on the primary server use LOAD DATA INFILE statement:

```sql
LOAD DATA INFILE '/tmp/inventory-products.tsv'
INTO TABLE inventory.products;
```

### Import from Remote Database

MariaDB Enterprise ColumnStore can also import data directly from a remote database. A simple method is to query the table using the SELECT statement, and then pipe the results into [cpimport](https://app.gitbook.com/s/rBEU9juWLfTDcdwF3Q14/mariadb-columnstore/clients-and-tools/data-import/mariadb-enterprise-columnstore-data-loading-with-cpimport), which is a command-line utility that is designed to efficiently load data in bulk. Alternative methods are available.

To import your data from a remote MariaDB database:

```bash
$ mariadb --quick \
   --skip-column-names \
   --execute="SELECT * FROM inventory.products" \
   | cpimport -s '\t' inventory products
```

## Next Step

Navigation in the procedure "Deploy ColumnStore Shared Local Storage Topology".

This page was step 9 of 9.

This procedure is complete.

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