Possible reasons for BCP import failure? [Unable to open BCP host data-file]

Question

Hi,
I have inherited a process where a bunch of tables are being prepared locally with python and puched to a database. It fails and I don't know why, though my first thought is access rights. I have admin access to the database (and server?) using SQL server
authorisation. Here is an example BCP command being churned out by the python script:
bcp "[TEST].[dbo].[ISP_2014_flat]" in "flat_files/ISP_2014_201504011504.csv" -U admin -P XXX! -c -t ^ -S "xxx20039999\DZUHE00999,2311"
SQLState = S1000, NativeError = 0 Error = [Microsoft][SQL Server Native Client 10.0]Unable to open BCP host data-file
What can I check that might be responsible for this problem?
Thanks,
Andrew

Answer 1

Below are points that you can consider:
I don't think you need double quotes (") around the table and filename.
If the file is on shared folder, provide the UNC path like
\\server\folder\file.csv and even if it is in local try providing full path
Make sure the file is not opened by someone (if it exists already)
If it works from SSMS and doesn't work if run via SQL Agent then Agent account must have access to the file
You can see few examples given in BCP Utility and also you may give try using BULK INSERT too
bcp Utility
BULK INSERT (Transact-SQL)
Cheers,
Vaibhav Chaudhari
[MCTS],
[MCP]