Overview
The importer allows you to modify existing records rather than creating new ones. This process is nearly identical to a standard import but requires a specific setting to ensure the system maps your changes to the correct data entries.
Prerequisites
Before starting your update, verify the following:
Fulcrum ID: Your file must include the
fulcrum_idcolumn.File Format: Data must be in a supported format, such as CSV.
Backup: It is recommended to keep a backup of your original export before making external edits.
Always ensure that the fulcrum_id column remains intact and unaltered. Fulcrum uses this unique identifier to map each row to its corresponding record. Without it, the system cannot identify which records to update.
Updating Standard Records
Follow these steps to update high-level record data:
Export Records: Download the records you wish to modify from Fulcrum in CSV format.
Edit Externally: Open the file in an application like Microsoft Excel and make your desired changes.
Start Import: In Fulcrum, navigate to the importer and begin a new import process.
Select Update Method: In Step 1, you must select Update Existing Records.
Upload and Map: Upload your file and ensure the fields in your CSV map correctly to the fields in your Fulcrum app.
Confirm: Review the import summary and complete the process.
Updating Repeatable Records
When updating records with repeatable sections, you must include both parent and child data to maintain the relationship.
Export Both Files: Export the parent records and the repeatable child records.
Verify IDs: Ensure the parent file
fulcrum_idand the repeatable file havefulcrum_record_idcolumns.Prepare ZIP File: After making edits, compress both CSV files into a single ZIP file.
Import as Update: Upload the ZIP file and ensure Update Existing Records is selected in the first step.
Notes
Any fields not included in the import file will retain their existing values in Fulcrum.
For large imports, consider testing with a smaller dataset to confirm the process works as expected.