5, 50 and 50000+

Now that your users, profiles and safety features are in place, lets upload your existing records.

Depending on how many records you are planning to upload, you have a couple of options to do so. Namely the Data Import Wizard, which is browser-based, and the Data Loader, which you can download from your Salesforce platform. Let’s see how they differ.

Data Import Wizard

Data Import Wizard can be used by any user; while Data Loader requires admin privileges. One key aspect is the volume of records to be transferred. Data Import Wizard caps at 50k records. Therefore, if you have more, you may want to opt for Data Loader.

Data Import Wizard can match a number of fields, effectively enabling it to catch duplicates; while Data Loader only matches the record ID.

Data Import Wizard provides the option to turn off workflow rules, while Data Loader does not – requiring you to manually turn off any workflow rule that might be triggered during the process.

Data Loader

Finally, Data Loader has the ability to export data, like record IDs, and is capable of importing objects that are not supported by the Data Import Wizard (like opportunities and cases).

Data Loader can be used to Insert records, which creates a new record with its own unique ID; Update records, which matches the ID on record with the ID on file and then updates that record with the new information; or Upsert, which covers both functions at the same time.

Data Loader can also be used to mass delete records or export them. Export all will also include records that are in the recycle bin, i.e. not yet permanently deleted from the platform. Specific actions can also be configured in the Data Loader Settings.

Data Loader makes no exception to the overall Salesforce security. In order to manipulate data, you first need to login and provide a security token in much the same manner as we explained before.