How to Create Fields with an Import in Dynamics CRM

Creating new fields on an entity isn’t a difficult task, it’s usually something that won’t take more than a minute to do. But this can add up to a lot of time when you need to create 10, 20 or more custom fields all at once.

In cases like this you can use the import wizard to create all the new fields in one shot instead of clicking through and creating each one individually.

To start out create a file that includes some dummy records along with the names of the fields you want to create. If you want to create an option set or two option (boolean) fields make sure to include one record that corresponds to each unique value that would appear as an option. The other field type are quite as important as we’ll have the ability to choose the data type later.

Once that is set head over to Settings -> Data Management -> Imports and select the Import Data option. You’ll be prompted to choose the import file, define the structure and select the entity you wish to import to.

The important part comes when you reach the field mapping screen. Instead of mapping to an existing fields you’ll want to choose the option to create new fields. Here you can set the label (value displayed on a form or view) and the data type of the field. Here is also where you’ll need to map the values of your option set and two option fields to the possible values that will be available.

Once you’ve got everything mapped go ahead and finish the import wizard and run the import. When the import completes you’ll see all your new fields, the only thing left is to add them to any forms and views and then delete the dummy records created during the import.

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