QUESTION:
Can I use DemandTools MassEffect to insert attachments and documents into Salesforce?
ANSWER:
Yes, MassEffect has the ability to insert attachments and documents that reside on your local PC hard drive or network mapped drive.
BULK API SHOULD ALWAYS BE USED when importing documents and attachments. Starting in Version 2.5, MassEffect supports the special bulk ZIP method for importing attachments. If running an earlier version of DemandTools, please upgrade to version 2.5 or higher and then follow the instructions below.
****Any docx and xlsx files uploaded WITHOUT "Use Bulk" checked will insert with 0 errors, but the files will be corrupted.****
1. Create an input file that contains the following for each document/attachment to be inserted
- ParentID: Salesforce 15 or 18 digit ID of the object the document/attachment should be linked to.
- FilePathName: The full pathname, e.g. "C:\upload\test.xlsx"
- The full pathname can be obtained by a right-clicking on the file, selecting properties, then copying what is listed in the location and add "\filename" to the end.
2. Use the Attachment or Document Table in MassEffect -> Insert Mode -> CHECK "Use Bulk API"
3. Map the fields as follows:
- ParentID=>ParentID
- FilePathName=>Body
- FilePathName=>Name
- Right-click on the mapped field and select the transform option FilenameWithExtension
NOTES:
- The "Content Type" field can remain blank as the file extension will indicate the type of file being inserted.
- The Owner Alias/Owner ID and Description fields are optional. If Owner IS NOT specified, the person doing the insert will be the Owner. When mapping to the Owner ID field, the alpha-numeric ID is required; the owner's name will not work. DO NOT map to both the Owner Alias and Owner ID fields (it is one or the other).
- "Filename With Extension" is used when inserting documents or attachments to pull the file from the full pathname. The full pathname needs to mapped to the "body" field for the document/attachment. Instead of having a separate column with just the Name of the file (to map to the "Name" field), the full pathname can be mapped to the "Name" field also and then use the "Filename with Extension" option to pull the filename from the full path and use that to populate the "Name" field in the document or attachment.
