Importing Data

Microsoft Dynamics CRM provides several tools for assist you to import bulk data:

• Import Data Wizard
• Add Contacts Wizard
• Microsoft Dynamics CRM Software Development Kit

To automate the import process, use the SDK to write a custom import tool.

Importing Your Data Using the Import Data Wizard

The Import Data Wizard A wizard used to import multiple records from a comma-delimited text file into Microsoft Dynamics CRM as records. is useful for importing data you have stored in a spreadsheet or importing leads that you have purchased. It can be used for importing data into most record types. The Import Data Wizard is designed for people in sales, marketing, and customer service to use with their own data. All imported data will be owned by the user who does the import, or, if the user has permission to create records, all records in an import can be assigned to another user. The Import Data Wizard can also import:

• Multiple files containing related record types, such as accounts with related contacts.
• Records that need to be assigned to different Microsoft Dynamics CRM users.
• Notes and attachments.

The data must be in a comma-separated value (.csv) file A data file with a .csv file extension. Typically a CSV file consists of fields and records, stored as text, in which the fields are separated from one other by commas., any other type of delimited text (.txt) file A file that contains data in which individual field values are separated by commas, tabs, semicolons, or other characters. Delimited text file names typically end with a .txt file extension (for example, "my_file.txt")., an XML Spreadsheet 2003 file, or a compressed (.zip) file. You can export or save data in comma-separated format from many applications, such as Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Office Outlook contacts, and most databases. If your import file uses column headings that match Microsoft Dynamics CRM display names Labels that are used by default when attributes are displayed on a form, in a list, or in a report. The Display Name for each attribute can be changed in the Customization area by a user with an appropriate security role., the file automatically maps. If you frequently import data that is in the same format, to save time you can create and use a data map A file that contains information about how data from a source system corresponds to data in Microsoft Dynamics CRM. for your source that maps your data.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM processes imports in the background. After an import completes, you can review which records succeeded or failed to import. To fix the records that failed to import, export them into a separate file, fix them, and then try to import them again. You can delete all records associated with an import.

If your System Administrator or System Customizer has enabled duplicate detection during import, you can select whether to import potential duplicates. Also, after completing an import job, you can run a duplicate-detection job to detect any potential duplicates.