Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Archived)

Is it possible to update data with an import?

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Posted on by maurice.renz

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Hello,

I have a problem about data, that we have to import into crm.

We have some customers, that we need to import into our system. This data is already in our crm, we just want to update some fields of those customers.

Is there any way, to update the existing data with an excel sheet (.csv).

Thank you!

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Guido Preite 54,086 Moderator on at

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Yes, you need to export the records you want to update and pay attention to tick the option to make the records available for re-import

here a tutorial for crm 2011, but the steps are similar for 2016

www.powerobjects.com/.../mass-editing-dynamics-crm-2011-records-using-microsoft-excel

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Drew Poggemann 4 on at

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Hi Maurice, I agree with Guido as well.

The standard import does not support Upsert functionality - another post that discusses this... (community.dynamics.com/.../211696)

If you want to do something like this you would need to utilize a tool like Scribe / Kingswaysoft / SmartConnect to import the records in or write your own process.

I wish it supported with alternate keys as this would be perfect from what I have needed...

Thanks,

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Joe Gill on at

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Hi Maurice,

You could create custom entity with a relationship to the the entity you want to update.

Import into your custom table populating the Lookup reference.

Create a workflow on insert for your custom table that updates the related table

hth

Joe

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KingswaySoft 545 on at

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Hello Maurice,

As Drew mentioned you can use our solution to achieve this, it is a very straight forward process using SSIS. You would just use the flat file source component to read from your .csv file and our CRM Destination Component to write the data into CRM.

Our component supports Update or Upsert using Alternate Key as your matching criteria (as well as Primary Key, CRM Duplicate Detection or the option to Manually Specify).

If you have any questions we're happy to help!

KingswaySoft

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EmployeeOcta 6 on at

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Hello Guido Preite,

is it the same for CRM 365 online?

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Anneke DB 215 on at

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Hi everyone,

I also need to be able to update records through an import.

I don't see the option to make records available again for re-import when I export them though (365 Online).

Did anyone find the solution for 365 Online?

If I work in "Excel online", not every records gets updated - so that's not really an option either.

Thank you,

Kind regards

Anneke

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Community Member on at

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1) Export the Excel

2) Convert it to .csv

3) Remove the records that are not being updated

4) import the csv using Data-Import wizard

* The point to note here is when you export the excel from CRM the guid is embedded in one of the hidden columns. Up on re-import to update, CRM considers this GUID to update the record

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Anneke DB 215 on at

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Hi, thank you for this quick answer.

I thought this was the way to go too, but after trying, it didn't work.

I'll try again though.

KR,

Anneke

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Community Member on at

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Hi Anneke,

I tried doing this on my trial and also on my actual work instance and it worked fine. Please share a screenshot of the error if possible.

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Anneke DB 215 on at

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Hi

I tried and failed again.

So I upload the Excel in CSV-format.

These first 3 columns are hidden, but CRM still asks me if I want to map them. But ther's nothing to map it with, so I select Not Mapped.

Afterwards, he does import them. But he creates new records instead of updating the old ones.

Thank you for your advice.

KR

Anneke

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