The Data Import Wizard is a straightforward tool that facilitates importing data into Salesforce. It’s available in your Organization Setup, allowing for online execution. You can insert both standard object data and custom data using this wizard. The Data Import Wizard is user-friendly. If you want to give it a try, simply follow these instructions to import some data into Salesforce:
- Access the Data Import Wizard. Open the Wizard from Setup by entering Data Import Wizard in the Quick Find box and selecting the corresponding option.
- Select the data for import. For importing Accounts, Contacts, Leads, Solutions, Person Accounts, or Articles, choose Standard Objects. For custom objects, select Custom Objects.
- Define whether to add new records to Salesforce, update existing records, or perform both actions simultaneously:
Figure 3.5: Data Import Wizard – object choice
Specify matching and other criteria as needed, utilizing the provided question mark tooltips for more information:
Figure 3.6: Data Import Wizard – type of action
- Indicate whether to trigger workflow rules and processes when the imported records meet the defined criteria. Here, you are just deciding whether those automations should trigger during the data insertion:
Figure 3.7: Data Import Wizard – workflow rules and processes options
- Identify and select the file containing your data. Specify your data file either by dragging the CSV file to the upload area or by clicking on the appropriate CSV category and navigating to the file.
- Choose a character encoding method for your file. Typically, the character encoding remains unchanged.
- Choose either a comma or tab as the value separator.
- Map your data fields to Salesforce data fields. The Data Import Wizard automatically maps as many data fields as possible to standard Salesforce data fields. However, manual mapping is necessary for any fields that the wizard cannot map. Unmapped fields will not be imported into Salesforce.
- Review and initiate your import.
- Monitor the import status. You will see when the import is imported.
TIPS
Many people start their Salesforce journey using the Data Import Wizard. The reason is that the tool is kind of built into the Salesforce org’s page, making it easy to access and relatively user-friendly. However, this marks the end of this romantic story. Beginners soon discover that the Wizard is not a powerful sorcerer, and that the true power of data migration lies in different tools. Fortunately, we have described all of them for you in this chapter.