Solving "Remote Table Valued Function Call" Errors

Remote table valued functions (TVFs) are incredibly useful for querying data from multiple databases or servers. However, sometimes you may encounter errors when trying to execute remote TVFs. In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to resolve common remote table valued function call errors, so you can get back to querying your data efficiently.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Remote Table Valued Functions
• Common Remote TVF Call Errors
• Step-by-Step Guide to Resolving Errors
• Step 1: Verify Your Linked Server Configuration
• Step 2: Check Your Remote Function Definition
• Step 3: Modify Your Query
• Step 4: Test Your Solution
• FAQs

Understanding Remote Table Valued Functions

A table valued function is a user-defined function that returns a table data type. TVFs can be used in the FROM clause of a SELECT statement to query the returned table. Remote TVFs are functions that are called on a remote SQL Server instance using a linked server.

Common Remote TVF Call Errors

Some common errors you may encounter when calling remote TVFs include:

1. Incorrect linked server configuration
2. Missing or incorrect remote TVF definition
3. Unsupported query syntax for remote TVFs

Step-by-Step Guide to Resolving Errors

Step 1: Verify Your Linked Server Configuration

Before calling a remote TVF, you need to make sure that your linked server is set up correctly. To do this, follow these steps:

1. In SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), connect to your local SQL Server instance.
2. Expand the "Server Objects" folder and then the "Linked Servers" folder.
3. If your linked server is not listed, create a new linked server.
4. If your linked server is listed, right-click on it, select "Properties", and verify that all the required settings are correct.

Step 2: Check Your Remote Function Definition

Next, you need to make sure that your remote TVF is defined correctly. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Connect to your remote SQL Server instance in SSMS.
2. Expand the "Databases" folder, then the target database, and then the "Programmability" folder.
3. Locate your remote TVF under the "Functions" folder. If it's not there, you need to create your remote TVF.
4. Right-click on your remote TVF, select "Script Function as", "CREATE To", and then "New Query Editor Window". This will generate the CREATE FUNCTION script for your remote TVF.
5. Review the script to ensure that your remote TVF is defined correctly. Pay close attention to the function's input parameters, return type, and the logic within the function.

Step 3: Modify Your Query

Now that your linked server and remote TVF are set up correctly, you need to modify your query to call the remote TVF. Use the following syntax to call a remote TVF:

SELECT *
FROM OPENQUERY([LinkedServerName], 'SELECT * FROM [RemoteDBName].dbo.RemoteTVF(Param1, Param2, ...)')

Replace [LinkedServerName] with the name of your linked server, [RemoteDBName] with the name of the remote database, RemoteTVF with the name of your remote TVF, and Param1, Param2, ... with the required input parameters for your remote TVF.

Step 4: Test Your Solution

Finally, execute your modified query in SSMS to ensure that your remote TVF call is working correctly. If you still encounter errors, review the previous steps and make any necessary adjustments.

FAQs

Q1: Can I use table valued parameters (TVPs) with remote table valued functions?

No, TVPs are not supported with remote TVFs. You need to pass scalar values as parameters to your remote TVF.

Q2: Can I use CROSS APPLY or OUTER APPLY with remote table valued functions?

No, CROSS APPLY and OUTER APPLY are not supported with remote TVFs. As a workaround, you can use the OPENQUERY function as demonstrated in Step 3.

Q3: Can I join the result of a remote table valued function with local tables?

Yes, you can join the result of a remote TVF with local tables using a subquery. For example:

SELECT *
FROM (
    SELECT *
    FROM OPENQUERY([LinkedServerName], 'SELECT * FROM [RemoteDBName].dbo.RemoteTVF(Param1, Param2, ...)')
) AS RemoteTVFResult
JOIN LocalTable ON RemoteTVFResult.Column1 = LocalTable.Column1;

Q4: Can I call a remote table valued function from within a stored procedure?

Yes, you can call a remote TVF from within a stored procedure using the same OPENQUERY syntax shown in Step 3.

Q5: Can I call a remote table valued function in a view?

Yes, you can call a remote TVF in a view using the same OPENQUERY syntax shown in Step 3. However, keep in mind that this may impact the performance of your view, especially if you are querying large amounts of data from the remote server.