Salesforce Data Loader is a powerful client application used by Admins and developers to perform bulk inserts, updates, upserts (update-or-insert), deletes on records of Salesforce objects.

This Salesforce Data Loader Tutorial is very comprehensive and covers all the following, aka Data Loader basics, Installation steps all together with handling date format (string to Date conversion), Trouble shooting tips including Command Line operations & and lists out Java pre-requisites

These tutorials provide comprehensive guidance on using Salesforce Data Loader, covering everything from basic overviews to advanced operations like insert, update, upsert, delete, and export. They also include interview questions to help you prepare for Salesforce administrator roles involving data management tasks.

Salesforce Data Loader Beginner Guide

Salesforce Data Loader is a client application for the bulk import or export of data into Salesforce. It supports insert, update, and upsert functions, as well as methods for delete and export, making it valuable to administrators and developers handling large data volumes.

  • Key Features:
    • Can process up to 5 million records in a single operation.
    • Command-line operation for automation.
    • Easy-to-use interface for defining data mappings and loading data.

Download and Install Data Loader

Steps to Download:

Login to Salesforce and follow these steps:

  • Enter “Data Loader” in the Quick Find and select it.
  • Click on “Download Data Loader” and choose the appropriate version for your OS.

Installation:

  • Windows: Run the .exe file and follow the instructions.
  • Mac: Open the downloaded .zip file and drag Data Loader to your Applications folder.

Date Format in Data Loader

Date fields in Salesforce need a specific format when uploading data via Data Loader: YYYY-MM-DD (e.g., 2024-10-25).

Date-Time Format Example:

YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ssZ (e.g., 2024-10-25T14:30:00Z)

Customizing Date Formats:

You can customize the date format in your CSV file, ensuring it matches Salesforce’s format to avoid errors.

Fixing Installation Problems

Common Issues:

  • Data Loader Not Installing: May occur if Java is not installed or configured correctly.

Solutions:

  • Ensure Java is installed and configured.
  • Re-download and install the latest version from Salesforce.
  • Check permissions; you need administrative rights.

Data Loader Limits

OperationLimit
Max Records1,500 to 5 million records per import/export
Batch SizeDefault is 200 records, up to 10,000 for bulk API operations
Supported ObjectsAny combination of standard and custom objects

API Limits: Data Loader operations consume API calls, so monitor API call usage to avoid hitting limits.

Command Line Interface with Data Loader

Data Loader provides command-line support for automation, allowing for scheduled tasks.

Steps to Create Command Line Setup:

  • Create configuration files (e.g., config.properties) with login credentials and file paths.
  • Command Format: dataLoader.bat -f config.properties -i input.csv -o output.csv

Example Command Line Script:

dataLoader.bat -Dsalesforce.username="username@example.com" -Dsalesforce.password="password" -Doperation="insert" -Dinput="data.csv" -Doutput="output.csv"

Handling Multi-Select Picklists in Data Loader

For multi-select picklists, values should be separated by a semicolon ;.

Example:

If you want to select “Option A” and “Option B” in a picklist, enter:

Option A; Option B

Data Loader vs. Import Wizard

FeatureData LoaderImport Wizard
Data VolumeUp to 5 million recordsLimited to 50,000 records
Operations SupportedInsert, Update, Upsert, Delete, ExportInsert, Update (no delete or export)
Field MappingsCustom mappings availableAutomatic mapping with manual adjustments
AutomationCommand-line operations availableNo automation options
API Limit UsageConsumes API callsDoes not consume API calls

Java Requirements for Data Loader

Data Loader requires Java to run. Ensure the correct version is installed and configured.

Java Requirements:

  • Version: Java SE 11 or newer.
  • Environment Variable: Set JAVA_HOME to the Java installation directory and add it to your system path.

Setting up JAVA_HOME on Windows:

  1. Go to System Properties > Environment Variables.
  2. Create a new variable JAVA_HOME and set the value to the Java installation path.
  3. Add %JAVA_HOME%\bin to the Path variable.

Salesforce Data Loader Tutorials

Salesforce Apex Data Loader tutorial
Data Loader Update | How to Update fields by Data Loader
Data Loader Upsert | Upsert in Salesforce Data Loader
Delete and Export operations using Apex Data Loader

Data Loader Basic Interview Questions

  1. What is Salesforce Data Loader? A bulk data client application.
  2. What operations does Data Loader support? Insert, Update, Upsert, Delete, and Export.
  3. How does Data Loader differ from Import Wizard? Handles larger data volumes and supports command-line automation.
  4. What file formats does Data Loader accept? CSV files.
  5. How do you manage API limits with Data Loader? Optimize batch sizes and monitor API usage.

Conclusion

Salesforce Data Loader is an indispensable tool for handling bulk data operations. From date formatting to managing multi-select picklists, this tutorial provides a solid foundation for mastering Data Loader. Whether preparing for an interview or automating data tasks, a strong grasp of Data Loader will streamline your Salesforce workflows and data management efforts.