Reading Time: 2 minutes

Salesforce Data Management

To make the team achieve its goals, one needs Useful Data. Customer’s success depends on that well planned management of data.

There are Two keys for successful Data management; 

1. Good data management strategy 
2. Quality of the Data

Data management strategy to collect, review and verify ‘Clean’ data will impact the organization performance directly.

Data Management has two key parts

1. Import Data
2. Export Data

Import of data can be done with 2 Tools;

1. Data Import Wizard
2. Data Loader

These two can be compared by supported editions and limiting no of records to import and export;

Tool	Supported Edition	No of records to Import/Export	Import	Export
Data Import Wizard	All but no Personal Editions	Up to 50,000	Yes	No
Data Loader	Enterprise,Developer,Unlimited,Database.com Editions	50,000-5 Million	Yes	Yes

• Data Import Wizard is inside Salesforce browser with which you can import account,contact,lead,Solutions, campaign members, custom objects.
  • This provides a simple interface wherein you can specify data to import, field mappings, review and start Importing data.
  • Path: Go to Setup- Data Import Wizard- Launch Wizard
• Data Loader is an application for import/export of bulk data.
  • There are no limits for the objects. 
  • It includes Opportunity, Pricebooks and Products
  • It can be used to Insert,Update,Delete records
  • Data can be scheduled for nightly imports
  • Path: To access Data Loader by going to Settings and searching for Data Loader in Quick Find.  This is a separate app that is housed on your computer, so you will have to follow the instructions given to install the file. There is a version for either Windows or Mac.

Considerations for Import/Export files

1. Before any data Migration , one needs to format import spreadsheet
2. Label of columns in your spreadsheet should match Salesforce labels
3. If there are any picklists in your sheet, it should match Salesforce picklist values
4. Check for Required fields
5. Wherever necessary, Include Record Type ID
6. For accurate matching of Contacts, Use Contact Ids
7. Save as CSV file (comma-separated Values) 
8. Bear in mind while saving CSV file that it only saves One tab of the spreadsheet, if you have  multiple tabs, separate them in different files
9. Check the Import file after its done
10. Check also Error file if any

For Successful Import , One needs CLEAN data.  So Follow steps below and get it done.

• Ensure data meets system and custom data validation requirements.
• Resolve if there are  any duplicate records.
• Remove blanks and empty spaces.Run spell check.
• Rename column headers to match the field names  in Salesforce.
• Applying consistent standards for data formats. (Based on Territory)

Main Reasons of Import Failing ;

1. Data validation rules
2. Picklist values
3. Required Fields
4. Currency Fields

For additional Details do visit Salesforce Help Page links 

• Import Data into Salesforce
• Data Loader Overview
• Download & Install Data Loader
• Data Loader Guide
• Data Backup & Recovery Best Practices
• Recover or Restore Lost or Deleted Data
• Export Backup Data from Salesforce