Lesson Learned #417: Resolving Synchronization Error in Azure SQL DataSync: Mismatched ColumnMapping

[Guest Jose_Manuel_Jurado]

Data synchronization between databases is a critical feature in many enterprise and cloud application scenarios. Microsoft Azure SQL Database offers the capability to synchronize tables between different databases, enabling consistent data across distributed environments. However, technical challenges can arise, such as the error "Sync failed with the exception 'An unexpected error occurred when applying batch file sync_XXXX\\XYZ-XXXXX.batch. See the inner exception for more details.Inner exception: The given ColumnMapping does not match up with any column in the source or destination. For more information, provide tracing ID ‘XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-9a95a3f8ad2e’ to customer support.'" which can be caused by discrepancies in column definitions between the synchronized tables.

 

 

 

The Error and Its Description:

 

 

 

The error message "Sync failed with the exception 'An unexpected error occurred when applying batch file sync_XXXX\\XYZ-XXXXX.batch. See the inner exception for more details.Inner exception: The given ColumnMapping does not match up with any column in the source or destination. For more information, provide tracing ID ‘XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-9a95a3f8ad2e’ to customer support" indicates that a problem has occurred during the synchronization process between two tables in Azure SQL Database. The reason behind this error is often related to changes in the structure of one of the tables that was previously synchronized successfully. Specifically, this error can occur when the data type of a field in the table is modified or when the name of a column is changed.

 

 

 

Common Causes of the Error:

 

 

 

The described error can occur for several reasons, some of which include:

 

1. 
   Changes in Table Structure: If a change has been made to the structure of the table, such as modifying the data type of a column or changing its name, synchronization may fail if the column definition no longer matches between the synchronized databases.
    
    
   
2. 
   Incorrect ColumnMapping: Synchronization between databases uses column mappings to ensure proper data correspondence. If the structure of a table is changed and the column mapping is not updated accordingly, it can result in the mentioned error.
    
   

 

 

 

Resolving the Error:

 

 

 

To resolve this error and enable successful synchronization, the following steps should be taken:

 

1. 
   Review Changes: Identify and analyze the changes made to the table structure. This includes verifying whether column data types have been modified or columns have been renamed.
    
    
   
2. 
   Update Column Mapping: Ensure that the column mapping used in synchronization is updated to reflect the changes in the table structure. This applies to both the source and destination tables.
    
   

 

 

 

Conclusions:

 

Data synchronization in Azure SQL Database offers a powerful way to maintain consistency in distributed environments, but changes in table structure can trigger synchronization errors. It is essential to understand the causes behind these errors and take appropriate steps to rectify them. Keeping track of changes in column definitions and keeping column mappings up to date are essential practices to ensure smooth and successful synchronization in Azure SQL Database.

 

 

 

Enjoy!

 

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