---
schema_version: "1"
id: 258d774d53f74c9b6982e969c0b11c266dc16128d13a2fd2cbafecdb02df2ddb
title: Import Data with the Data Import Wizard
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/xcloud/264-0-0/import_with_data_import_wizard.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.import_with_data_import_wizard.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 034bd9c0c4f6aa1bf803f9c35c21f04c38f426a2178153cd30531d6f67a663a5
description: After preparing your data for import, use the Data Import Wizard to map the data fields and run the import.
products:
  - Salesforce Platform
  - Cross Cloud
release: "264"
---
# Import Data with the Data Import Wizard

After preparing your data for import, use the Data Import Wizard to map the data fields and run the import.

### Required Editions

<table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small edition"><colgroup><col></colgroup><tbody><tr class=""><td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;">Available in: Salesforce Classic and Lightning Experience</td></tr><tr class=""><td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;">Available in: <strong>All</strong> except <strong>Database.com</strong> and <strong>Personal Editions</strong></td></tr></tbody></table>

<table class="slds-table slds-table_bordered slds-max-medium-table_stacked slds-m-bottom_small permission">
        <colgroup>
          <col style="width:50%">
          <col style="width:50%">
        </colgroup>
        <thead class="slds-text-title_caps ">
          <tr class="">
            <th scope="colgroup" class="slds-cell-wrap" colspan="2" style="text-align:center;vertical-align:top;" id="d110324e69">User Permissions
              Needed</th>
          </tr>
        </thead>
        <tbody>
          <tr class="">
            <td data-label="User Permissions Needed" class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d110324e69 ">To import data with the Data Import Wizard:</td>

            <td class="slds-cell-wrap" style="vertical-align:top;" headers="d110324e69 ">Depends on what you’re importing. See <a href="https://help.salesforce.com/HTViewHelpDoc?id=faq_import_general_permissions.htm&amp;language=en_US" target="_blank">What permissions do I need
                to import records?</a> in Salesforce Help.</td>

          </tr>
        </tbody>
      </table>

1. Prepare your data for import and create a CSV import file. Doing this step first prevents errors, duplication of data, and frustration.
    
    For more information, see the FAQ item “How do I prepare my data for import?” on the Data Import wizard welcome page.
    
    You can also view the following video playlist to get more information: [![Watch Video Demo](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-xcloud-setup-264-0-0-production-enus/6f21df35-9ea0-4f53-ac94-45c3b5dfd5bc/resources-global/_corporate/images/play_btn.png)Data Import How To Series](https://salesforce.vidyard.com/watch/ARIjWm2qrDkJVJxEhReFug)
2. To start the wizard, from Setup, enter Data Import Wizard in the Quick Find box, then select **Data Import Wizard**.
3. Review the information provided on the welcome page, then click **Launch Wizard**.
    
    You can also launch the Data Import Wizard from the Tools list on the object-specific home page. Users who aren’t administrators can also access the Data Import wizard from their personal settings.
4. Choose the data that you want to import.
    1. To import accounts, contacts, leads, solutions, person accounts, or articles, click **Standard Objects**. To import custom objects, click **Custom Objects**.
    2. Specify whether you want to add new records to Salesforce, update existing records, or add and update records simultaneously. If you have workflows that add new objects when importing, selecting **add new and update existing records** fires them, but selecting **update existing records** doesn't.
    3. Specify matching and other criteria as necessary. Hover your mouse over the question marks for more information about each option. For updates and upserts of custom objects, match by Name is case-sensitive.
    4. Specify whether to trigger workflow rules and processes when the imported records meet the criteria.
    5. Specify the file that contains your data by dragging the CSV file to the upload area of the page. You can also click the CSV category you’re using and then navigate to the file.
    6. Choose a character encoding method for your file. Typically, you don’t change your character encoding.
    7. Select comma or tab as a value separator.
    8. Click **Next**.
5. Map your data fields to Salesforce data fields. The Data Import wizard maps as many of your data fields as possible to standard Salesforce data fields. But if the wizard can’t map fields, you must do it manually. Unmapped fields aren’t imported into Salesforce.
    
    To see a list of standard Salesforce data fields, from the management settings for the object, go to the fields area.
    
    ![Tip](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-xcloud-setup-264-0-0-production-enus/6f21df35-9ea0-4f53-ac94-45c3b5dfd5bc/images/icon_tip.png)
    
    Tip If you can't see the **Map** button, use the zoom out option in your browser to shrink the size of the page's content.
    
    1. Scan the list of mapped data fields and locate the unmapped fields.
    2. Click **Map** to the left of each unmapped field.
    3. In the Map Your Field dialog box, search and choose up to 10 Salesforce fields to map to and click **Map**. You also have the option to save data from unmapped fields in a general notes field for accounts and contacts. Choose **Account Note** or **Contact Note** from the Map To dropdown list and click **Map**.
    4. To change mappings that Salesforce performed automatically, click **Change** to the left of the appropriate field. Delete the Salesforce fields you don’t want to map, choose the fields you want to map, then click **Map**.
    5. Click **Next**.
6. Review your import information on the Review page. If you still have unmapped fields that you want to import, click **Previous** to return to the previous page and specify your mappings.
7. Click **Start Import**.
8. Check import status.
    
    The **Recent Import Jobs** chart on the Data Import Wizard home page lists the status and metrics of the data import. Alternately from Setup, enter Bulk Data Load Jobs in the Quick Find box, then select **Bulk Data Load Jobs**. The Bulk Data Load Jobs page isn’t available in Professional Edition. Only administrators have access to the Bulk Data Load Jobs page in Salesforce Setup. If you’re not an administrator, you can check the status of your upload by monitoring the relevant tabs in Salesforce.

Need help with getting started? Check out [www.salesforce.com/gettingstarted](https://salesforce.com/gettingstarted) to access live webinars, videos, setup series and more. For hands-on help with data importing, complete the [Importing Data](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/lex_implementation_data_management/lex_implementation_data_import) module in Trailhead.