how to upload date/time data in salesforce using csv file

Updated on July thirty, 2019

Hither at StarrData, we've helped many customers with their data management, export, transformation, and import needs. We'd similar to share some tips with you on how you tin can exist successful while using the Data Loader tool.

We know the Information Loader process isn't always the most straightforward, but these tips come up from our experience, and we hope they assist you as much every bit they have helped u.s. over the years.

Preparing your file for Salesforce Data Loader (dataloader.io):

•     The import file must be in CSV format earlier you upload data; however, oftentimes it is easier to work in Excel format to preserve formatting if you can't end all of your data transformation/editing in one session. When finally saving equally a CSV, yous may want to open the file to ensure there is no corruption upon conversion, but re-save as a CSV prior to uploading to preserve date formatting.
•     Ensure y'all do not have any empty columns or whatever columns with the same header names as this can cause field mapping issues.
•     Ensure you accept a column header and rows of data populated for all system required fields such as like Business relationship Name or Contact Last Name
•     In your Excel file prior to saving as a CSV, leverage conditional formatting functionality to highlight cells with duplicate values in columns that should not have duplicates
•     CSV files do not preserve formatting so if you practice whatsoever data formatting in Excel and then convert to CSV, the formatting needs to be reapplied
•     If you utilise formatting to a CSV file, save it but go along it open during the import to preserve the formatting
•     In Data Loader, fields with engagement values should exist formatted as YYYY-MM-DD and fields with date/time values should be formatted as YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS. This assumes that yous have set Data Loader settings with your local fourth dimension zone. If not, please run across the Salesforce Help Topic "Data Loader Appointment Values" for other options.
•     If you're working with Null Code data that has leading zeros, Excel volition remove these zeros. Leverage the Zip Code Cell Format to put them back. Recollect, you lot will need to practise this formatting again if yous catechumen from Excel to CSV.
•     Yous tin use Excel cell format of "Phone Number" to format telephone and fax columns
•     Ensure electronic mail addresses are correctly formatted. Salesforce electronic mail fields will not accept bad email addresses and will crusade wi bad addresses to fail. Bad addresses include information similar a comma instead of dot or mailto: in front of the address.
•     Remove all currency symbols and commas from the number and currency columns.
•     Salesforce will not accept text in number fields.
•     For checkboxes, apply "1" or TRUE for checked and "0" (zero) or Faux for unchecked. You tin also leave unchecked cells blank if you like
•     Data Loader does not permit importing multiple columns into 1 field in Salesforce. You lot volition demand to concatenate these fields before uploading
•     Information Loader does not support Address 1, 2, and 3 fields, and so if you lot need to import more than one street address for a tape, see the Salesforce Help Topic "Business relationship Billing Address Fields"

o   Beneath is a formula that looks for blank cells and does not put in extra line breaks if a bare cell is plant. Exist sure to change the jail cell references to match your file

• =CONCATENATE(IF(ISBLANK(A2),"",A2),IF(ISBLANK(A2),"",CHAR(10)),IF(ISBLANK(B2),"",B2),IF(ISBLANK(B2),"",CHAR(10)),IF(ISBLANK(C2),"",C2))
•     Salesforce picklists will accept any values imported into them (upward to the character limit) so ensure that your picklist columns have the proper values
•     You can only import one Salesforce object at a time so if you volition be importing multiple objects, create a file for each and put them in separate folders. This volition assist yous to stay organized later on in the import procedure
•     Once your file is ready for import, copy the top row (headers) and about 4-five rows beneath to a new file so you lot can do a test import. Information technology is easier to hard delete 5 test Salesforce records than 5000 new records
•     Try to proper noun your column headers with the same names as your Salesforce id fields to make mapping easier

If you lot follow these guidelines, your file will exist set for the Salesforce Data Loader! And read function 2 of this blog post, Salesforce Information Loader Tips: Mapping and Importing.

StarrData helps you go more than out of Salesforce.com. If you would like information on the services we offer, telephone call us at (888) 391-4493 x101.

matthewsrookint.blogspot.com

Source: https://starrdata.com/salesforce-data-loader-tips/

Share this post