Import, Update, Add, and Delete Data from a CSV File

You can import, update, or delete account, opportunity, people, and activity data using CSV files. Each data type requires specific fields for a successful import.

Important:

• To ensure records are matched correctly, always include the External Account ID column in your CSV file. See What to Know When Importing Data From a CSV File.
• Demandbase automatically deletes generated audit reports and CSV source files two years after import.

For large CSV files (up to 20 GB), use the Amazon S3 integration. See Upload CSV Files from Amazon S3 to Demandbase.

You can also manually add records to imported Account and People lists.

• You must have Admin privileges or be assigned to a permission set with the required Demandbase settings access.
• Review What to Know When Importing Data From a CSV File.
• (Optional) Review CSV Import Examples.
• (Optional) Download a CSV template:
  1. From the left navigation bar, go to Database > [Object] > Data Import.
  2. Click Import Data.
  3. Click Download .csv template.

Import Data from a CSV File

1. From the left navigation bar, go to Database > [Object] > Data Import.
2. Click Import Data.
   
3. In the Import Data window, complete the following:
   • Data Import Name: Name of import.
   • Data Source: Select CSV or a CRM source (Salesforce, Dynamics, or HubSpot).
     Important: Selecting a CRM source allows immediate upload and merges the data after synchronization, bypassing API limits.
   • Click Browse or drag and drop your CSV file.
     Tip: Click Download .csv template to download a template with the required columns.
4. (Activities only) Select an activity type: Task,Call, Meeting, or Email.
5. Click Import Data.
   

Update Imported Data from a CSV File

Re-import a CSV file to update previously imported records. Demandbase applies source priority rules when determining which field values to retain. See What to Know When Importing Data From a CSV File.

1. From the left navigation bar, go to Database > [Object] > Data Import.

2. Click the name of the data import you want to update.

3. Go to the Report tab.
4. Click Re-import Data. 
5. Upload the updated CSV file.
   Important: To add or remove records from the associated list based on the updated CSV file, select Automatically update existing list with these records.

Delete Imported Data from a CSV File

You can delete previously imported CSV records from the Demandbase database and their associated CSV list by re-importing a file that excludes the records you want to delete.

Important:

• Deleting imported records removes them from both the Demandbase database and the associated CSV list.

• Include the External Account ID column in both CSV files to ensure accurate record matching.
• For 100,000 or more records, delete them in batches of approximately 40,000–50,000 records. Deleting too many records at once may fail.

Step 1: Prepare the CSV Files

Create two CSV files:

1. Records to delete: Include the records you want to delete.
2. Records to keep: Include one record you want to retain.

Step 2: Import the Records to Delete

1. From the left navigation bar, go to Database > [Object] > Data Import.
2. Click Import Data.
3. In the Import Data window, complete the following:
   • Data Import Name: Name of import (for example, Accounts to delete).
   • Data Source: Select CSV.
   • Click Browse or drag and drop the CSV file containing the records to delete (from Step 1 ).
     Tip: Click Download .csv template to download a file with the required columns.
4. (Activities only) Select an activity type: Task, Call, Meeting, or Email.
5. Click Import Data.

Step 3: Re-import the Records to Keep

1. From the left navigation bar, go to Database > [Object] > Data Import.

2. Click the name of the import created in Step 2.

3. Go to the Report tab.
4. Click Re-import Data.

5. Click Browse or drag and drop the CSV file containing the record you want to keep (from Step 2).

6. Select Delete the records previously imported which are not present in CSV now.
7. Click Re-import Data.

Add Imported Data to Account and People Lists

1. From the left navigation bar, go to Database > Account Lists or People Lists.
2. Click the name of a CSV list.
   Tip: To find CSV lists, use the List Type filter and select CSV import.
3. Click Add Accounts or Add People
   
4. Use Basic or Advanced selectors to define criteria.
   Tip: Click the refresh icon to see the number of records that meet the selector criteria.
5. Click Continue.

6. In the results table, select the checkboxes for the records you want to add.

7. Click Add Accounts or Add People.

Outcome of Importing Data from a CSV File

After successful CSV import:

• Data availability: Imported data is processed and becomes available according to the schedules described in Understanding Demandbase Data Availability. 

• Import results: Click View Audit CSV to review matched records. See Understanding CSV Data Import Results. 

• Field-level data: From the left navigation bar, go to Settings > Analytics > Fields to review imported fields.