Updating records with import

[jaymcd0626]

I just imported about 400 records and missed a field before I imported the contacts that are associated with them. Can I use the import feature to update my records by reimporting and mapping the field I missed? I ran a test with a few records and it seems to duplicate them. Is there a setting that I could use to check for an account by Account Name and update instead of duplicate?

[sugarcane]

Hello,

Did you include the record ID in your import document? To update records, the import file must contain the record IDs.

[jaymcd0626]

Thanks. I can do that, but it means that I have to export what I have just impotred to get the ID, and add the info from the field I want to impor.t This may be more work that just editing the records. It would be nice if you could do the update on the Account name/addreess, the same way a duplicate is checked.

[tbladecki]

There is a way to do it, but you need to access the database directly and if you dont know what you are doing it can render the data useless... I can help you with it, please PM me for assistance

[dgilroy]

Hiya,

I have this same problem. I import 300 Account records with three fields. Then export the same 300 and copy the ID field back into my original file. Then reimport the data with an additional 30 fields. The 300 records get duplicated. This is driving me mad.

What do I need to do?

Regs.....David.

[sugarcane]

Hi David,

did you select the 'Create and Update Records' option for import? If you select the 'Create Records' option, all new records will be created. You also need to make sure that you map the Account ID from your csv to the account id field in the import area.

[jjwdesign]

Personally, I'd just delete the records you just imported since it's not all of the data. You can typcially do this with a couple of SQL statements. phpMyAdmin is a good tool for MySQL database management, if you are using MySQL. Just search for the records based on date_entered, then delete them. Then re-import the records with all of your data.

Also, after importing - do not leave the last screen/view that has the "Undo Last Import" button until you have reviewed the data. Open a new window and review the records that you imported. If something isn't correct, you can flip back to the other window and undo things.

Cheers,