Custom Objects Import and Association Tool
Users with access to Type Manager can use a template spreadsheet to import new information (items) to existing Custom Objects, update existing Custom Objects, and associate existing custom objects to Contract, Contact, and Organization records.
NOTE: Custom Objects need to be configured in order to do the bulk import. The Import drop-down menu will not be present if the system has no existing Custom Objects.
Prior to import, you may adjust the layout and fields of the Custom Object, which is what the system will use to create the import spreadsheet you'll use to enter your new information (items) into the system. An example of a Custom Object layout and fields appears below.
For additional details on Importing or Associating Custom Objects, please refer to the Bulk Custom Object Import and Association Users Guide (contact your Customer Success Manager for a copy).
Steps for using the Custom Objects Import Template
As an Administrator, click
to access the Application Settings and select 
.From the Object Types drop-down menu, select Custom.
Hover over Import Data to reveal two choices (as seen in the graphic below):
Import Custom Object Data
Associate Custom Objects to parent records
Click Import Custom Object Data. This opens the Import: Custom Object page.
Use the Step 1: Select Custom Objects drop-down menu to choose the Custom Object type you want to add data (items) to. The download template will include fields that have been added to the layout of that Custom Object type.
Next, click the Step 2: Download Template button and an Excel file named import data [name of custom object] will download. Use the provided template to specify the fields of data to import.
Complete filling out the downloaded template file to add data (items) to the system. TIP: You may want to rename the template file when saving to better keep track of your work.
When ready, use the Step 3: Upload the populated template file dotted-line box and either drag and drop the file or locate the file on your computer to re-upload the template file. Select
and a brief analysis of the file will commence (as seen in the graphic below). The system will validate the data you entered and either:Warn that the import cannot proceed due to missing data or invalid data
Confirm that the import will proceed and what types of changes will be made, including import of new data and/or updates to existing data
Finally, select
. A screen confirming the import will appear as seen below.
Steps for using the Custom Object Association Template
This feature lets you add existing Custom Object Data (a.k.a. items or "choices") to a Contract, Contact or Organization record, as long as the Custom Object grid has been added to that Object’s record layout.
Similar to the Import feature, you'll use the Associate spreadsheet template for adding one or more Custom Object line items to the Custom Object sub-grid on a parent record. The template includes parent record columns and any Custom Object fields with an edit mode of Editable in Detail (default data) and Associated Record or Editable in Associated Record Only. Having the parent record columns directs the system to where to add the items.
NOTE: Which Custom Object fields have these edit statuses can be confirmed in the Custom Object layout, as seen in the example below:
In Custom Objects in Type Manager, hover over Import Data and select Associate Custom Objects to Parent Records.
On the Import Associate Custom Objects to Parent Records page, do the following:
Use the Step 1: Select Custom Objects drop-down menu to choose the Custom Object for which you intend to add to the Parent record.
Next, click the Step 2: Download Template button. This will download a spreadsheet template named associate [NAME OF CUSTOM OBJECT] file. Open the provided template file and enter data to specify the Custom Object line items and their field data to associate to Contract, Contact, or Organization records. NOTE: The template is named "associate" and will include column for specific fields in that Custom Object type.
Complete filling out the downloaded template file to add data (items) to the system. TIP: You may want to rename the template file when saving to better keep track of your work.
When ready, use the Step 3: Upload the populated template file dotted-line box and either drag and drop the file in the box or located the files on your computer to re-upload the template file. Select
and a brief analysis of the file will commence. The system will validate the data you entered and either warn you that the import cannot proceed due to missing or invalid data, or confirm the import will proceed and what the changes/updates to the records will be. NOTE: If changes need to be made, the finish button will be unclickable and grayed out.
NOTE: You cannot associate a particular Custom Object to a Parent record that does not already have that Custom Objects sub-grid in the layout! If the data and the analysis are good, click
. A screen confirming the import will appear when the import is finished.
Associating Freeform Custom Objects
It is also possible to associate Freeform Custom Objects to a Parent record, but there are two differences from the usual association of standard object, which matches the functionality of Freeform Custom Objects when a user adds one on-the-fly to a Parent record.
Freeform Objects that are associated using the template will only apply to the Parent record they were created to associate with and therefore won't be visible in the Custom Objects menu.
Within the associate template, the Custom Object ID field does NOT need to be completed because it does not exist yet. The import process will create the object for the record.
Otherwise, the steps to associate the Freeform object are the same. Follow the Associate steps above to create the Freeform Custom Objects in the record.