How to Fix the “Invalid Character Value for Cast Specification” Error for a Linked SQL Server 2008 in a SQL Server 2005 Instance

How to Fix the “Invalid Character Value for Cast Specification” Error for a Linked SQL Server 2008 in a SQL Server 2005 Instance

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Written By Eric Sandler

If you’re working with linked servers, especially when linking a SQL Server 2008 instance to a SQL Server 2005 instance, you may encounter the error: “Invalid character value for cast specification”.

This error typically arises when there’s a mismatch in data types or when the linked server configuration between SQL Server versions causes issues with how data is handled and cast.

Here’s a guide to help you understand why this error occurs and how to resolve it.

What Causes the “Invalid Character Value for Cast Specification” Error?

This error usually happens in one of the following scenarios:

  • Data Type Mismatch: The data types in SQL Server 2008 may not be perfectly compatible with SQL Server 2005. A common issue is the handling of varchar, nvarchar, and datetime data types between the two versions.

  • Collation Differences: Differences in collation settings between the linked servers can lead to casting errors.

  • Compatibility Issues: SQL Server 2008 introduced new features, data types, and optimizations that may not be fully supported by SQL Server 2005.

Let’s go through several methods to resolve this error.

Method 1: Explicitly Cast Data Types

One of the most common reasons for this error is a mismatch between the data types in the source and target servers. You can resolve this by explicitly casting the data types to ensure compatibility between SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008.

Step 1: Modify the Query to Use Explicit Casting

In your query, make sure that any potential mismatched data types are explicitly cast to a compatible type. For example, if you’re dealing with nvarchar or varchar, you might cast it like this:

SELECT CAST(column_name AS VARCHAR(100)) 
FROM [LinkedServer].[Database].[Schema].[Table]

This ensures that the data type used in the query matches what SQL Server 2005 can interpret correctly, preventing the cast specification error.

Step 2: Check DateTime Fields

If the error is caused by a datetime data type, ensure that both SQL Server instances are handling datetime values correctly. You can explicitly convert datetime fields like this:

SELECT CONVERT(VARCHAR(20), datetime_column, 120)
FROM [LinkedServer].[Database].[Schema].[Table]

This converts the datetime value into a varchar format, which is more likely to be handled without errors between the two versions.

Method 2: Use OPENQUERY to Execute Queries on the Linked Server

Another approach is to use the OPENQUERY function, which allows you to execute a query directly on the linked server rather than passing the query through the local SQL Server instance. This can help bypass some of the data type casting issues between the servers.

Step 1: Modify Your Query to Use OPENQUERY

Instead of running the query on the local server, use OPENQUERY to run it directly on the linked server:

SELECT * 
FROM OPENQUERY([LinkedServer], 'SELECT column_name FROM Database.Schema.Table')

This method passes the query execution to the linked SQL Server 2008 instance, where it can use its own data type handling and casting rules, reducing the likelihood of a cast specification error.

Method 3: Ensure Matching Collation Settings

Collation differences between the SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008 instances can cause data casting issues, especially with varchar and nvarchar data types.

Step 1: Check the Collation of Both Servers

Run the following query on both your SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008 instances to check their collations:

SELECT DATABASEPROPERTYEX('DatabaseName', 'Collation')

Step 2: Adjust the Query to Handle Collation Differences

If there is a collation mismatch, you can force the collation in your query to match:

SELECT column_name COLLATE SQL_Latin1_General_CP1_CI_AS 
FROM [LinkedServer].[Database].[Schema].[Table]

By explicitly setting the collation in the query, you can ensure that both servers handle the text data in a consistent way, reducing the chance of casting errors.

Method 4: Update Drivers and Linked Server Settings

In some cases, the error may stem from outdated OLE DB drivers or incorrect linked server configuration settings.

Step 1: Update the OLE DB Provider

Make sure that both SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008 instances are using the latest OLE DB providers. If the OLE DB provider is outdated or mismatched between servers, it can cause issues when handling data types or executing queries.

Step 2: Reconfigure the Linked Server

Check the settings of your linked server to ensure that they are configured correctly:

  1. Open SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS).
  2. Navigate to Server Objects > Linked Servers.
  3. Right-click the linked server and choose Properties.
  4. Ensure that the Data Access setting is enabled, and verify that the Collation Compatible option is correctly set based on your collation needs.

You may also want to set the RPC Out option to True to ensure that remote procedure calls can be executed properly:

EXEC sp_serveroption 'LinkedServer', 'rpc out', 'true'

Method 5: Review SQL Server Compatibility Levels

The compatibility level between SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008 can also play a role in how queries are executed and how data types are handled.

Step 1: Check and Update the Compatibility Level

Run the following command on your SQL Server 2008 instance to check its compatibility level:

SELECT compatibility_level 
FROM sys.databases 
WHERE name = 'DatabaseName'

If the compatibility level is set to a higher version (for example, 100 for SQL Server 2008), try changing it to match SQL Server 2005’s level (which is 90):

ALTER DATABASE DatabaseName 
SET COMPATIBILITY_LEVEL = 90

This can help reduce errors caused by differences in how SQL Server 2005 and 2008 handle certain data types and query executions.

Conclusion

The “Invalid character value for cast specification” error is often caused by data type mismatches or configuration differences between linked SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2008 instances. By explicitly casting data types, using OPENQUERY, adjusting collation settings, or updating drivers and server configurations, you can resolve the error and ensure smooth communication between the linked servers.

With the right approach, this error can be quickly diagnosed and resolved, allowing you to continue working without further interruptions.

Eric Sandler

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