Import Errors

Question

Hi (I've posted this on the old site and was asked to repost here.  This is now urgent so any help you guys can give would be greawt!,

I am trying to perform an import update to existing Account records in CRM.  
I have the GUID in the first column of my csv file and have it named Parent 
Account.  For some reason when I run the import it is creating duplicate 
account records instead of updating the existing ones.  I'm currenlty 
choosing Import Duplicates as I was told that is what should be checked when 
importing updates.  If I choose Do Not Import Duplicates I just get an error 
message.  Any guidance you can give is much appreciated!!

Also, just wondering what the GUID column should be named if I am doing an 
update to existing Contact records.
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Thanks in advance for your help!

Michelle

Answer 1

Hi Michelle

unfortunately you can't do an update with the OOTB-functionality. Import Tool (Data Migration Manager too) can create new records. That's all...
You can write custom code to execute crmService.Update(), use Integration Services of SQL Server (SSIS) or work with a 3rd-party-tool such as Scribe, which will be the easiest way to do that.

Best regards
Peter

Answer 2

I'm not sure I understand your response.  Are you saying that I cannot update existing Account records in CRM?  Or are you saying that I cannot update existing Contact records in CRM?

Also, if I want to udate Contact records (if that's possible) what does the GUID column need to be named in my CSV file?

Answer 3

Hallo Michelle,

you can do an Update with the MS CRM standard import tool.  The GUID must be the first columns and it must be name like the entities. Have a look at the entity definition: I think an englisch system it's named account and contact and in German it's "Firma" and "Kontakt". (It's not recommended, but this name can be changed) 
 
You wrote ..... have it name parent account. This could be one reason.

Later on, when the system offers you an automatic update (you need to have the exact matching columns titles....), there is a checkbox  "Update....". If this checkbox is unchecked, you always create new accounts

The Data Migration Manager is another product and i think, this is not mentioned here.

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Herzliche Grüße Markus Müller

Answer 4

Hi Markus

very thanks for your input, I work with MS CRM for a long time but I do not know that! Is it an undocumented feature of the import tool?

Grüsse
Peter

Answer 5

Hi all,

I think Michelle mean this function, which is also described by Markus http://examiningmscrm.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-to-update-crm-data-from-excel.html
It is (imho) not an official feature of CRM 4.