SQL MERGE to remote (linked) server table

Question

Is it possible to utilize the SQL MERGE function on a linked server's database table? The end goal is to synchronize the remote table with our local SQL server table. I’ve done some research online and couldn’t find any related information. If it is possible how would you setup the source and target statements?

Answer 1

To reiterate the comment by @Mikael Eriksson, yes, you can. The target of a MERGE cannot be remote, but the source of a MERGE can be remote. So, if you can run the MERGE statement from your server in FL, then it is quite possible. For example, you could run something like this on your remove server in FL:

MERGE INTO "local FL table" USING "CT server"."database"."schema"."same table" ON ...

Answer 2

Apparently my research wasn't good enough, it’s stated right on MSDN: “target_table cannot be a remote table” ... so that answers this question...

Answer 3

This is not an exact Answer of this Question. But an Alternate for Updating remote Table in the Linked Server.

UPDATE [RemoteItem] 
SET    [RemoteItem].[AccountID] = [I].[AccountID] 
FROM   OPENQUERY
(
    [LINKEDSERVER],
    'select AccountID from [RemoteDb].dbo.[Item]'
) [RemoteItem] 
INNER JOIN [LocalDB].[dbo].[Item] AS [I] 
    ON p.ProductID = oq.ProductID 

Refere this Link

Not Tested.

Answer 4

Yoy can always use EXEC('SQL CODE HERE')AT YOUR_LINKED_SERVER in your server, maybe as a Stored Procedure.

This will execute the query you want on your linked server so you could merge a local table (target_table) with a server table (source).

This is a code I use in a Stored Procedure in my Server that its called from the client. Client exec stored procedure in server->Server Exec Query to update different linked servers (clients) with the same informacion (employees)

    EXEC('
SET IDENTITY_INSERT PVBC.DBO.empleadas ON

MERGE INTO PVBC.DBO.empleadas A
USING(
    SELECT id_empleada, nombre, apellidos
    FROM SERVIDOR.PVBC_SERVIDOR.DBO.empleadas) TA
ON (A.id_empleada =TA.id_empleada)
WHEN MATCHED THEN
UPDATE 
    SET A.nombre=TA.nombre,
        A.apellidos=TA.apellidos
WHEN NOT MATCHED THEN

    INSERT 
        (id_empleada, nombre, apellidos)
    VALUES
        (id_empleada, nombre, apellidos);

SET IDENTITY_INSERT PVBC.DBO.empleadas OFF
')AT MEGA --This is one of my linked servers