How Relationship (Lookup) Fields Are Imported

In a database, if one record is related to another record, it has a field that points to a field in the related record. This is called either a "lookup field" or a "relationship attribute."

For the field in one record type to point to a field in another, the record types must have defined entity relationships.

To import related data, valid data in the source file column must establish the relationship.

When you select the field in the related record type, select a field that has unique data in each record. If the referenced values are not unique, the record will not import.

Suggested Preparation in Your Source Files

Verify that data in your source files lookup fields points to valid records. To identify lookup fields, see Entity Reference (Resource Center).

If records in a source file contain multiple values in a field that contains relationship data, edit the data so it contains one value.

Optional Changes in Microsoft Dynamics CRM

If you are creating custom lookup fields, create a relationship between the two record types. The Import Data Wizard creates this relationship. It always creates a many-to-one relationship between the record type you are importing that has a lookup field in it and the referenced record type. If you need to change the type of of relationship between these record types, after you finish importing data, use the Customization area to change the relationship type.

Notes

Related Topics

Preparation Tasks for Specific Data Types

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