How do I open a file package or template

By Darren Green
Version 7.0/2000
Level Beginner

In the save package dialog screen there are several Locations available. The Structured Storage File option is useful if you wish to keep the package as a file, perhaps so that it can be added into a source control repository, or for manually copying to another server or transfer media. Whilst it is quite simple to save a storage file (.dts) it is not immediately obvious how you open one of these packages again. See below for some screen shots that illustrate where the Open Package option can be found. By changing the file filter, Files of type: dropdown, to All Files you can then select a package template file to open (.dtt) instead.

SQL Server 2000

Open package screen shot (2000)
Right-click the Data Transformation Services node
Click Open Package
Now find the file and click Open

SQL Server 7.0

Right-click the Data Transformation Services node
Click All Tasks
Click Open Package
Now find the file and click Open

The package will now be opened in the DTS Designer again. If you want to put this back into one of the server based stores, from the Package menu, select Save As and choose your new storage location.