Changing encoding method of an Input tool SQL database

Hi all!

In my current project, I'm connected to an Oracle database using an ODBC connection. The data I'm extracting contains strings with special unicode characters (such as ã, â, ...) and I can't find a way to make it work in the output.

I found in some other topics that there is an option in the Input tool called "Force SQL_WChar Support", but I can't find it in mine.

Is there some additional config needed in the ODBC connection for it to appear? Or in the designer itself? Example attached.

Thank you,

Giovani

example_input_tool.png

Input

Database Connection

Accepted answers

DataNath

@gballestero instead of ODBC, in the file format dropdown can you not select Oracle? That should bring up a slightly different configuration menu where you have the option to tick Force SQL_WChar Support.

https://help.alteryx.com/20221/designer/connect-oracle-database

All comments

DataNath

https://help.alteryx.com/20221/designer/connect-oracle-database

gballestero

That worked, thank you! But the running time went from ~2 minutes to ~20 minutes. Is there some way to improve it using the oci connection?

DataNath

No problem @gballestero With regards to the performance, I'm not 100% as I've only used DB connections a handful of times and none have been Oracle. However, I found a few threads referencing similar issues throughout the community and there seems to be a fair bit of discussion around CLOB datatypes causing issues if you have any within the dataset?

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Discussions/Oracle-Database-read-speed-too-slow/td-p/733667

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Discussions/Oracle-db-read-REALLY-slow/td-p/70083

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Discussions/Oracle-sql-query-in-input-tool-painfully-slow/td-p/735012

gballestero

I don't think so. I have a lot of strings, but none of them are CLOBs. Anyway, I'll try some of the solutions. Thank you again @DataNath !

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