Load data from a file to SQL Managed Instance

Question

From what I understand SQL Managed Instance cannot access local or external file share.

We are trying to load data from a file to SQL Managed Instance, wanted recommendations on the best approach for that.

Answer 1

Use BULK INSERT from Azure blob storage https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/t5/Azure-SQL-Database/Loading-files-from-Azure-Blob-Storage-into-Azure-SQL-Database/ba-p/386133

1. Upload your files to azure storage

2. Create external data source to that location (put SAS token if it is not public):

CREATE EXTERNAL DATA SOURCE MyAzureBlobStorage 
WITH ( TYPE = BLOB_STORAGE, LOCATION = 'https://myazureblobstorage.blob.core.windows.net'); ```

3. Load files from this account.

BULK INSERT Product 
FROM 'data/product.dat' 
WITH ( DATA_SOURCE = 'MyAzureBlobStorageAccount');