Import Account From Excel Into CRM

Need help getting some data into Dynamics 365? Here are the top 3 options:

1) Built-In Import Data Wizard (Typically CSV or Excel file)

Pros:

  • Supports record creation and updates (limited)
  • Uses a built-in wizard
  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • Must use Excel templates for updates, will not update records that were modified in CRM since the Excel template was exported
  • Does not support importing multiple tables (for example order header and order lines) in one pass
  • Does not support record deletion
  • Does not support automation

Instructions:

2) Dynamic Worksheet

Pros:

  • Supports record creation and updates
  • Uses built-in functionality
  • Easy to use
  • Requires free add-on for MS Office, some setup required

Cons:

  • Does not support importing multiple tables
  • Does not support automation
  • Must use the columns and format provided in the file, cannot use other formats, so often hard to use when importing from another system

Instructions:

3) Using a 3rd Party Product

Pros:

  • Allows for automation of importing files
  • Typically easier for more complicated imports and multiple table imports
  • Supports create, update, and delete
  • Supports reading from more than CSV/Excel files. Typically also supports SQL and other standard ODBC connections
  • Can support communication between various products

Cons:

  • Additional cost

Examples:

4) APIs (Web services)

Pros:

  • Supports create, update, and delete (and more)
  • Full control of the data going to and from CRM
  • Full control of reading any data source

Cons:

  • Requires developer skills (Let us know! We have developers who can help you with this)

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