Running the Data Import Wizard is a five-step process that takes minutes once the CSV is prepared. The hard work happens before the wizard launches: clean the input data, map column headers to Salesforce fields, decide the duplicate matching strategy, and confirm the operation type. Run a test with 10 to 50 records first to catch mapping and validation issues before processing the full data set.
- Prepare the CSV input
Format the CSV with one row per record, headers naming the Salesforce fields (label or API name). Include the Id column for updates. Include a unique external ID column for upsert matching. Validate the CSV opens cleanly in Excel without encoding issues.
- Launch the Data Import Wizard
Setup > Data Import Wizard. Click Launch Wizard. The wizard opens in a new browser tab.
- Choose the object and operation
Pick the target object (Accounts and Contacts, Leads, Solutions, Custom Object). Pick the operation (Add new records, Update existing records, Add new and update existing records). The choice constrains the next steps.
- Configure record matching
For updates and upserts, pick the field that identifies matching records: Salesforce ID, Name and Account, Email, or External ID. The wizard uses this to determine which CSV rows update existing records and which become new inserts.
- Upload the CSV and map the fields
Drag the CSV onto the upload area or browse to it. The wizard reads the headers and shows the mapping screen. Drag each unmapped column to its target field, or click Map to use the wizard''s suggestion. Confirm every required field has a mapping.
- Review and start the import
The review screen summarizes object, operation, match strategy, mapping count, and record count. Click Start Import to commit. The wizard queues the job and returns a confirmation.
- Monitor the import in the queue
Setup > Bulk Data Load Jobs (or Data Import Wizard status) shows recent imports. Monitor the job until it completes. Most imports under 5,000 records finish within a few minutes.
- Review the result email and error file
The completion email summarizes successes and failures. Download the error CSV. Fix data issues, re-run the failed records, and store the artifacts for audit.
Add new, Update existing, or Add and update. Drives whether the wizard inserts, modifies, or upserts records.
Salesforce ID, Name and Account, Email, or External ID. Determines how the wizard matches CSV rows against existing records.
Drag-and-drop assignment of CSV columns to Salesforce fields. Auto-suggestions based on header similarity speed the process.
- Data Import Wizard caps at 50,000 records per import. Larger jobs need to be split into multiple runs or moved to Data Loader.
- Not all objects are supported. Opportunities, Cases, Products, Quotes, and others are excluded. Use Data Loader for unsupported objects.
- Triggers, validation rules, and workflow rules all fire during the import. Heavy automation slows imports significantly; consider disabling triggers temporarily for large migrations.
- Picklist value mismatches produce per-record errors. The CSV value must exactly match a defined picklist value, including case and trailing whitespace.
- The wizard runs as the launching user. Record ownership defaults to that user unless the CSV specifies a different OwnerId; permission to assign different owners depends on the user''s profile.