15 Salesforce import wizard limitations you should be aware of
5 min
Data analysis is a major key to understanding problems in an organization and how to flourish business. It’s critical to explore data in meaningful ways. Salesforce is one of the leading CRMs and has more success stories than we can count. Using Salesforce users can organize, interpret, structure and present data into useful information. This context can then be used by decision-makers to take action to enhance productivity and business gain.
To perform all these, the foremost thing is to enter data into it. Manual entry is a complete no-no. The amount of data is so much that manual entry is not feasible. To smoothen data importing into Salesforce, a very user-friendly path is available: Data Import Wizard.
Data Import Wizard is a data management tool that is accessible through the Setup menu within Salesforce. Using its simple yet efficient interface, users can configure parameters, data sources and do field mapping to import data, not only in standard objects (like account, lead, contacts) but also in custom objects.
- With the Data Import Wizard users can:
- Insert, update & upsert records.
- Import up to 50,000 records.
- Prevent Loading duplicate records.
- Load Accounts, Contacts, Leads, Solutions and Custom objects.
With this fast-paced world, Data Import Wizard isn´t able to cater to everyone’s needs. But this doesn’t mean it’s useless, it just depends on individual businesses and their requirements. So prior to deciding whether it’s suitable for you or not, it’s always a good idea to know its shortfalls. So here we are to notify you about what is not possible for the Data Import Wizard to do for you.
1. Number of Records per file:
In case you want to import more than 50,000 records, then I´m sorry to say Data Import Wizard is not for you, as it has an upper record limit.
2. Records Not Supported:
Following is the list of types of objects that are not supported by Data Import Wizard. That means a user cannot import the records of following objects:
3. Import File Size:
One of the key points you must understand before making your decision to use Data Import Wizard, is the size of the files that can be imported. Your import file can be up to 100 MB, but other size limits apply. The maximum file size for zip files is 32 MB and for other formats 8MB.
4. Fields per record:
If you have less than 90 fields per record, then Data Import Wizard will prove good for you, but not if more, as it allows up to 90 fields per record.
5. Description and Note Size:
There is a limit on each import note and each import description. They cannot exceed 32KB. If they do, then it will be truncated.
6. Supported Browsers:
Not all browsers are supported by Data Import Wizard. Below are the browsers that are supported, for those whose needs are of some other browser, should give a thought before having it.
- Heads up!
- Don’t run more than one import job at a time, even from separate browser windows.
- Dragging CSV files into the browser are not supported in Internet Explorer 9.
- Data Import Wizard doesn’t support importing custom objects into Experience Cloud sites.
Internet Explorer: Version 9 and later
Apple Safari: Version 5 and later
Google Chrome: Version 29 and later
Mozilla Firefox: Version 23 and later
7. Delete
Operation is not applicable in Data Import Wizard. Below is the screenshot for the available options of data import wizard:
8. Only a Few standard objects imported:
One of the shortcomings at times for some users is that Data Import Wizard does not support all of the standard objects in Salesforce. The ones that are supported are:
- Accounts
- Contacts
- Campaign Members
- Person Accounts
- Leads
- Solutions
9. Export Data:
Another point that may influence your decision on whether to use Data Import Wizard or not is that there is no way of exporting data using it, you need to use a separate option of data export which can be found under setup.
10. Save Mapping:
Mapping of fields is a great feature in Data Import Wizard but the issue is that save mapping for later use is not available. In some cases, it’s not a limitation but if a customer requires frequent data import data they´ll definitely prefer to save mapping as it will make work easier and quicker.
11. Identifying Duplicates:
It is limited to a few fields like Salesforce ID, name, email etc.
12. Cloud Based:
Some of the users prefer Cloud based but it will not be useful to those who need data import not to be internet-dependent. Data Import Wizard works only within Salesforce.
13. Access:
In Data Import Wizard users can only import those fields that are accessible via page layout and field level security settings. Though this is not really a disadvantage, users tend to prefer having a User Interface these days.
14. Editions Supported:
All, except for Personal and Database.com Editions.
15. Import Process Can’t Be Automated:
Scheduling regular data loads, such as nightly imports with data loader, it’s not an option with data import wizard.
- What Data Import Wizard can do and what it can't do is detailed above. Hope it will now save your energy and rummaging, as it will assist you in making the decision of whether to opt for Data Import Wizard or not.
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