This article explains how to bulk import Custom Object records, including create, update, deduplication logic, bulk action controls, and import error handling.
Overview
You can bulk create and update Custom Object records via CSV import.
The import supports:
Creating new Custom Object records
Updating existing Custom Object records
Create + Update in a single import
Importing Owner and Follower fields
Deduplication using Record ID or a selected Unique Field
Full bulk action monitoring with pause/resume/cancel support
Creating Custom Object Records
To create a new Custom Object record:
Only the Primary Field is mandatory.
No other field is required to create a record.
If no Record ID or matching unique field is found, a new record will be created.
Updating Custom Object Records
To update an existing Custom Object record:
Only Record ID can be used to directly update a record.
No other field can override Record ID for update.
If Record ID exists:
The system will find and update that exact record.
No duplicate matching logic will apply.
Create + Update Behavior
If both create and update are enabled in a single import:
If Record ID exists → Update that record.
If Record ID does not exist → Create a new record.
Unique Field Deduplication Logic
If your Custom Object has multiple unique fields, and you map more than one during import:
You must select which unique field to use for deduplication.
Example:
Let:
UF1 = Unique Field 1
UF2 = Unique Field 2
User selects UF1 for deduplication.
UF1 | UF2 | Result |
|---|---|---|
Duplicate | Not Duplicate | Update record |
Duplicate | Duplicate | Error |
Not Duplicate | Duplicate | Error |
Not Duplicate | Not Duplicate | Create new record |
Important
Only one unique field can be selected for dedupe.
If other mapped unique fields conflict, the row will fail with an error.
The system will not auto-resolve multi-unique conflicts.
Update Rules for Empty Values
The “Update Empty Values” setting applies during update.
However:
“Update to Empty” is NOT allowed for:
Primary field
Required fields
If attempted:
The row will fail with an error.
Multi-Object Import Limitation
Currently:
Only one Custom Object can be imported at a time.
All other objects will be disabled once a Custom Object is selected.
Tooltip message:
“Multiple objects import with Custom Objects coming soon”
Bulk Actions Page (Custom Objects)
A dedicated Bulk Actions page exists for Custom Objects, similar to Opportunities.
Available Actions During Import
While an import is in progress, you can:
Pause
Resume
Cancel
These controls apply only while the bulk action is running.
Bulk Action Details View
Each import has a detail page showing:
Bulk Action ID
Type (Create / Update / Create + Update)
Name of the Import
Date Created
Status
Initiated By
Bulk Actions Filters
You can filter bulk imports by:
Date
Status
Users
Import Statistics Modal
Each import has a Stats Modal with the following tabs:
1. All
Shows one row for every line in the CSV file.
2. Success
Shows one row for every successfully imported line.
3. Error
Shows one row for every failed line.
4. Warnings
Shows one row for every warning generated.
Stats Modal Columns
Each row includes:
Line No
Record ID
Object Primary Field
Status
Possible statuses:
Success
Error
Warning (only on Warnings tab)
For Error and Warning tabs, two additional columns appear:
Error/Warning Message
How to Resolve
Error and Warning Behavior
All validation messages follow the same standards used for:
Contact Imports
Opportunity Imports
This includes:
Required field validation
Unique constraint violations
Invalid owner assignment
Invalid data formats
Restricted field update attempts
Duplicate detection failures
Errors block record creation/update.
Warnings allow processing but flag data issues.
Common Scenarios
1. Record ID Provided and Exists → Record updated.
2. Record ID Provided and Does Not Exist → New record created.
3. Unique Field Selected and Duplicate Found → Record updated (if no other unique conflict).
4. Multiple Unique Conflicts → Row fails with error.
5. Required Field Cleared Using “Update to Empty” → Row fails with error.
Best Practices
Always map Record ID if you intend to update.
Use only one unique field for deduplication.
Review required fields before enabling “Update Empty.”
Check the Error tab after every import.
Use Pause if you detect mapping issues mid-import.