title: MSSQL Import/Export/Copy IDENTITY_INSERT problems
body: <p>Using MS SQL Server Management Studio 2008.<br/>
  I have a db (say ip 10.16.17.10 and called <strong>db1</strong>) and a second one (say ip 10.16.17.25 called <strong>db2</strong>).</p>
  
  <p>I am trying to copy one <strong>table</strong> (and its contents) from <strong>db1</strong> into <strong>db2</strong>.<br/>
  I have the database on both (but empty in db2).</p>
  
  <p>The problem is no matter how I copy/export/import, no matter what options I set in <strong>MS SQL Server Management Studio 2008</strong> when I click 'table'->'Design' (on <strong>db2</strong>) it ALWAYS says '<strong>Identity Spefication</strong>: NO' even tho the db1 table has it on.</p>
  
  <p>From <strong>db1</strong> I go to 'Tasks'->'export'->'source/db' and 'destination/db'->'Edit Mapping'->'Enable identity Insert' and click it on.</p>
  
  <p>But no joy. ALWAYS exports without it.<br/>
  I try similar thing from IMPORT on <strong>db2</strong>. Similar thing if I use COPY.</p>
  
  <p>I have read MANY of the STACKOVERFLOW articles on this, they all suggest setting IDENTITY_INSERT setting to ON but when I do run below:</p>
  
  <pre><code>SET IDENTITY_INSERT [dbo].[mytable] ON
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The table either doesn't exist yet or has already copied WITHOUT the identity setting on so see the error:</p>
  
  <pre><code>does not have the identity property. Cannot perform SET operation.
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I have tried setting it as a property (under database properties) for <strong>db2</strong> but when I copy/import/export never works.</p>
  
  <p>Would appreciate any help here as lots of StackOverflow articles so far all seem to be having an easier time than me.</p>
  
  <p>I am planning on doing this for another 50 or so tables in this database so am hoping to find a way which doesnt involve running scripts for each table. </p>
  
  <p>thanks</p>