topic Re: Merging Fields During Import in DemandTools

Merging Fields During Import

Murphybp79 — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 16:06:57 GMT

I'm trying to import data from one Salesforce object into another, and as part of the import I want to combine 3 text fields into a single field. Orignally I was going to combine the data in Salesforce prior to importing, but then I came across this article Combine field merge in Import that seems to indicate this can be done as part of the import process. However, it doesn't explain how to do this.

I've searched the community and help documentation but couldn't find anything else about this. Is this something that is possible and if so, how do you set it up? Thank you.

Re: Merging Fields During Import

Pugs_Validity — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 19:14:58 GMT

@Murphybp79 - Since you are doing Object to Object, since Version 5.37, I would reccomend using a CONCATENATE formula upon Import to transform the data. You would simply highlight each text field and replace it with the appropriate field(s). As pointed out in your post, you can use the CHAR(10) to add a line break if desired.

Re: Merging Fields During Import

Murphybp79 — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 19:29:35 GMT

@Pugs_Validity It looks like you added some images, but they just show as triangles for me. I don't see how I can map 3 fields to a single field though as the tool doesn't allow that.

Re: Merging Fields During Import

Pugs_Validity — Tue, 26 Nov 2024 20:55:58 GMT

Not sure why they wouldn't be displaying but in short, I'm refrencing the ability to use formulas upon Import now. From testing, you can tell DemandTools to concatanate all the fields in your flow onto one but you'll need to bring the data in simultaneously to each indiviudal field then delete it after the fact. You would not be able to tell it to just combine the source data upon import. Essentially, it looks to be mapping the data first and then performing the desired formula after. Make sense?

Re: Merging Fields During Import

Murphybp79 — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 13:25:03 GMT

Ok, so it sounds like you're saying I have to have a one-to-one mapping for those fields from the source to the destination first. If that's the case, then it doesn't gain me anything as I'm wanting to avoid creating additional fields in the destination.

Re: Merging Fields During Import

Pugs_Validity — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 19:06:52 GMT

@Murphybp79 Would you be able to perform the concatenate operation into a custom field on the source object prior to mapping?

Re: Merging Fields During Import

Murphybp79 — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 19:15:10 GMT

@Pugs_Validity Yes, that's what I ended up doing. But that means you can't really do a field merge as part of the import process. When I read the article I initially referenced, I'm thinking it would allow me to merge data as part of the import process, saving me the steps of creating extra fields on either the source or destination object. So on the source object I have field A & B, and I could concatenate that data as part of the import setup and map the result to field C in the destination object.