How to import into a lookup relationship custom field

About

Similar to linking, you can use the lookup relationship custom field to relate records to other records. The object type you are relating to determines the format for the lookup field in your import file. Standard objects, such as contacts, projects, and opportunities, need a specific format to import the data. 

In this Article 

About

How to Import Standard Object Information into a Lookup Field

How to Find a User ID

How to Import an Auto Number Custom Object Record into a Lookup Field

VLOOKUP Functions

How to Import Standard Object Information into a Lookup Field

  1. Prepare your import file.
  2. Create a column in your import file for the lookup relationship custom field. 
  3. Enter the following format for the standard records: record ID; record Name. Do not put any spaces between the record ID number and record name.
  4. Import the data into your account. 

If you need to relate a record to a custom object record, it depends on the field type for the custom object's record name. Custom object records that use a text field for the field name need to use the record id; record name format. If the field type is auto number, then you only need the record ID in the import file. If your lookup custom field is related to an Insightly user, instead of using the user's Contact record ID, you would use their User ID.

How to Find a User ID

  1. Go to System Settings > User List.
  2. Select a user.
  3. In the URL, the User ID is listed after UserDetails/.
    User_ID.png 
To check which format you're using for the record name on the custom object, go to the Object Details page. The edit page shows what field type is used for the record name.

How to Import an Auto Number Custom Object Record into a Lookup Field

  1. Prepare your import file.
  2. Create a column on your import file for the lookup relationship custom field. 
  3. Enter the following format for your auto number records: record ID.
  4. Import the data into your account.


VLOOKUP Functions

Vertical Lookup, also known as VLOOKUP, is a function that is used to search for a value in the first column of a range of cells and then return a respective value from any cell on the same row of the range. Use the resources below to learn more.

Microsoft

Google

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