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Dynamics 365 Community / Forums / Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Archived) / Getting Invalid Format...
Microsoft Dynamics CRM (Archived)

Getting Invalid Format in Import File during import for an .xlsx file

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Posted on by Community Member

Hi,

We just switched from CRM 2011 to CRM 2016 (8.0.1.79), big step. 

In the old CRM we had a process doing

  • export contacts (enabling for re-import), exports to .xml
  • import in a self build PHP tool that adds data in an already existing column, then export it again
  • re-import the file in CRM

this worked flawlessly

Now with the new CRM, it exports to .xlsx. We changed our self build PHP tool, but during CRM import, CRM gives an "Invalid Format in Import File during import" error.

I also did a test with LibeOffice - Calc, opened the CRM export file, did save a copy and tried to import the copy into CRM, same error message.

What magic is CRM import expecting? What is not correct about the import file? I hope someone here can give me some insight.

kind regards

Ido

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I have the same question (0)
  • Community Member Profile Picture
    Community Member on at

    Try to enable trace on CRM and check log (you can use tools like crmdiagtool2011.codeplex.com ). Maybe it will give you some ideas.

    Also try to import in different format (like csv).

  • Community Member Profile Picture
    Community Member on at

    thank you for your answer.

    I do not have access to the CRM server, as its hosted by a 3rd party, but I will ask about the log trace, good idea.

    About CSV, I tried, also .xml, unfortunately after import I need to map the hidden columns ((Do Not Modify) Contact, (Do Not Modify) Row Checksum, (Do Not Modify) Modified On)

    and I dont have a clue to what I should map these columns

  • Community Member Profile Picture
    Community Member on at

    You can try to import without mapping all fields.

    Sometime ago my collegue had problems with export because of two columns had same display names. It's not really related to your issue, but check display names of your columns, maybe it will help.

  • Community Member Profile Picture
    Community Member on at

    thank for the tip, unfortunately that's not the case

  • Matt.Jackson Profile Picture
    Matt.Jackson on at

    Have you tried using the Templates for Data Import from CRM 2016?

    Got to settings > Data management and select Templates for Data Import and the record type that you are importing data into. It will then download an .xlsx template for that entity with a column for each field - making it simple to transfer data from your export xml into the correct columns of the template and import without having to map all of the fields manually.

  • Community Member Profile Picture
    Community Member on at

    Hi Matt,

    Thank for your reply. Doing it the way you describe is certainly an option, this is actually kind of the work-around our users are using at the moment. Exporting, copy and paste the info manually using Excel and import.

    The difference, we want to update existing contacts. If we export the contacts, the GUID is hidden in de file. I am thinking templates are more suitable to create new Contacts through import.

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