[Applies to: Microsoft Dynamics CRM 4.0]

Importing Data

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online provides several tools for importing bulk data:

• Import Data Wizard
• Using the SDK

  If you want to automate the import process, you can use the information in the Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online Software Development Kit 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 Online 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 use by people in sales, marketing, and customer service to use with their own data. All data imported will be owned by the user who does the import, or, if the user has permission to assign records, all records in an import can be assigned to another user.

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. or in a delimited text 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"). (.txt) file with columns delimited by commas. You can export or save data in comma-delimited format from many applications, such as Microsoft Office Excel or Microsoft Office Outlook contacts, and most databases. If your import file uses column headings that match Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online 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 is automatically mapped. If you frequently import data that is in the same format, you can use a data map A file that contains information about how data from a source system corresponds to data in Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online. to map your data to speed the import process.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online processes imports in the background, and you can select to receive an e-mail message when the import completes. Once an import completes, you can review the records that succeeded or failed to import. You can export failed records into a separate file so that you can fix them, and then try to import them again. Or, you can delete all records associated with an import.

If your system administrator has enabled duplicate detection during import, you can select whether to import duplicates. After an import completes, you also can run a duplicate-detection job to detect potential duplicates.

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