When you work with ERP systems, there is every possibility that you come across situations where you have plentiful data that you would rather import into the system rather than entering it manually one record at a time.
In case you are from Dynamics GP, you might be using some sort of application to import your data. Well, now, here the perk of Dynamics 365 Business Central is that you would get that same functionality already encompassed out of the box.
Dynamics 365 Business Central has a popular feature known as Configuration Package and it enables you to create an import package were once created, you will be in a position to import data from Excel into any sort of table in Business Central. The procedure is quite simple once you try it out.
Another perk of this feature is you can even use it to adapt fields of existing records. For example, you might use it to mass block a cluster of vendors or put manifold invoices on hold. Rather than you putting such sorts of changes one at a time, you can would be in a position to easily import those modifications from Excel into your Dynamics 365 Business Central.
Some zones where you can use this functionality are like:
· New Vendors
· New GL Accounts
· New Customers
· Sales Line
· Sales Header
· Purchase Header
· Purchase Line
· Sales Price
· Purchase Price
· Item Journal Line
The list underlines a few of the popular areas where you can use this import function. The list of tables you can use in this function and the creative ways you can make import files is numerous. Once you are done with the setup of the configuration package, you will have Excel templates that you can use again and again to import information into Business Central.
Get Started
Slight preparation can go a long way to ensure that your data import goes more successfully. There are various things that you would wish to know before you run the import data wizard:
· Understand the location of the file you’re importing
· Find out the delimiter settings of the import file. These are characters that show the boundary between fields.
· Find out how to source columns match with Dynamics 365 fields. Once you know it, it will help with planning the data. These are employed as the basis for matching a source column header in the import document with the Dynamics 365 destination field. As an example, in case you have a column in the import file named Surname, it might get mapped to the Last Name in Dynamics 365.
· Understand the kind of record you’re importing.
· Know any data type needs and restrictions within CRM for Dynamics 365. Also, find out if a field permits only numbers or has a supreme amount of characters.
· As you may be linking your imported records with existing records in CRM, it pays to know the proper contents of the main field inside the related file. For example, in case you need to link a
contact with a parent account, then make sure the parent account name is indistinguishable from the one in the import file.
· Make sure that you have an idea about the size of the import file. It should not be greater than 8MB unzipped or that of 32 MB zipped.
How to Work with the Import Data Template?
The Import Data Template automatically unfolds in Excel in XML format, which is supported by the import wizard. It offers all the fields situated in the main Dynamics 365 form of the record. Every column header resembles a field inside CRM. This means you can save time by using the automatic mapping feature of your import wizard. The template encompasses values for picklists and also descriptions and data guidelines for every single field.
Remember that the import template sets limits based on the data requirements inside Dynamics 365. This means you cannot offer a non-existent value in a picklist, exceed the character restriction for fields, or put text in a number field. This prevents import errors, saving you possibly much time in troubleshooting.
To import customer Information
Once the customer data has been entered in the data migration files in Excel, you then import the files into Business Central.
· First you need to open the Config. Package Card page.
· Then you pick the table for which you wish to import data. Next on the Tables tab, choose the Import from Excel action.
· Then you need to locate and open the file that you wish to import data from.
· On the Configuration package Import Preview page, examine the content that will be imported.
· The Config. The package Import Preview page provides an overview of the Excel file content to be imported. It also indicates if a new configuration package is created or the existing one is updated, and if new configuration package lines (tables) are created or existing ones are updated.
· Pick the Import action
· Finally, the data from the file gets imported into the configuration package tables. In the number of Package Records field, you might see the number of records that are imported. Apart from this, you would even see the number of migration mistakes.
You must remember that the customer data is validated before you apply the records to your Business Central database. In most of the instances, invalid data does not create in the database. However, the application might infrequently be blocked if a significant migration table contains errors.
Once you are correct, the record is eradicated from the list of records on the Migration Data Errors page. Hence, you are all set to apply the customer’s data to the database. Once you have imported all data migration records that are binding and have no errors, you can apply the data to the Business Central database.
Conclusion
So, once you follow the steps and instructions given in this post, you would find it easy to import data into Dynamics 365 Business Central.