I am trying to import a list of contacts into CRM 4.0 using the CRM -->
Import Data feature. I have imported the accounts and subsequently retrieved
the GUIDs from SQL Server. My contacts spreadsheet has a column for
accountid (which is the account GUID) as well as the other columsn for the
contact info I am trying to import. I have mapped the accountid column to
the Parent Customer when creating a data map. I receive the error "Source
Data is not in the required format" when I attempt the import. Why is this
happening?

Hello Lisa

Instead use the Data Migration Manager and use it to auto connect your
contacts to their parent accounts. I recorded a screencast at
channel9.msdn.com - search on the CRM tag and you should find it. The new
data migration manager tool is a great way to import csv files and link the
data across entities as the records are imported


=======================
John O'Donnell
Microsoft Dynamics ISV Architect Evangelist
http://blogs.msdn.com/jodonnell
http://blogs.msdn.com/usisvde


"Lisa B" <Lisa B@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:ED428AB9-445B-4F91-BE38-D377ADEF3750@microsoft.com...

Thank you so much. This was very helpful!

"John O'Donnell" wrote:

On 15 Jan., 05:45, "John O'Donnell" <csharpconsult...@nospam-
hotmail.com-nospam> wrote:
Hi John

Do you know if there is a way to make it work with the Import Data
feature? In the CRM 4.0 help there is written that you just have to
make a column with the GUID - but i get the same error like Lisa. I'm
just wondering if it's one of the features removed from the final
release like the "Export and Re-Import" feature.

Hello John,

Nice answer and a solution to the same issue I had as well.

However, what Lisa (and I) is trying, should work. Why does it not work ?

Regards,

Mav.

"John O'Donnell" wrote:

Hello John!
I have import products file with GUID for Unit Group (lookup) and Default
Unit (lookup) and receive same error: 'the source data is not in the required
format'. I can't use only Data Migration Manager because I need do re-import
products (i.e export from CRM to excel -> change data in Excel -> then import
to CRM). What do you advice me?

Best regards,
Marina

"John O'Donnell" wrote:

On Feb 15, 7:12*am, Marina <Mar...@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:
Hi Lisa-

You may have already solved this by now, but I have been able to
import relationships (lookups) and picklist values with the native Web
based import. The key that I found was to be sure that CRM
automatically generates the mapping document for you. I just posted a
blog article here about it at http://blog.sonomapartners.com/2008/...the-nativ.html

I hope this helps.

Regards-
Jim

This was the key. I don't understand why using a saved map wouldn't have the
same functionality. Makes the maps rather pointless. But this blog was
correct. If you don't see the automatic word come up in your data map then
you are column headings defintely do not match. I had to go back 3 times
before I found the last one that didn't match and then it appeared and worked
like a charm.

Thank Jim for taking the time to post this!!!

--

Brian


"Jim" wrote:

Hi Jim,

Thank you very much for this useful input. If you think of it, it is very
strange that the manual mapping doesn't function correctly, but at least now
we know how to prevent this silly problem. It will save me a lot of brain
cracking You've made my day.

Kind Regards ,
Jasper

"Jim" wrote:

Hi John

I watched the very helpful video that you have uploaded. Just a quick
question please can we use the data migration manager to update the data once
imported.

Also how do i deal with picklists?

Regards
Snow White

"John O'Donnell" wrote: