Changing encoding method of an Input tool SQL database

[gballestero]

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

[DataNath · Accepted solution]

@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

[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...

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-painful...

[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 !