When copying data into a table, bcp observes any defaults defined for the columns and datatypes. That is, if there is a null field in the data in a file, bcp loads the default value instead of the null value during the copy.
For example, here are two rows in a file to be loaded into authors:
409-56-7008,Bennet,David,415 658-9932,622 Pine St.,Berkeley,CA,USA,94705213-46-8915,Green,Marjorie,,309 63rd St. #411,Oakland,CA,USA,94618
Commas separate the fields; a newline terminator separates the rows. There is no phone number for Marjorie Green. Because the phone column of the authors table has a default of “unknown,” the rows in the loaded table look like this:
409-56-7008 Bennet David 415 658-9932 622 Pine St. Berkeley CA USA 94705 213-46-8915 Green Marjorie unknown 309 63rd St. #411 Oakland CA USA 94618
