Importing A Simple File utilizing the Data Import/Export Framework.
The Data Import/Export Framework for AX 2012 is a very powerful tool that allows for a more simplified way to import Master Data. The Framework allows for imports of Files and ODBC connections, but for this post I will be focusing on a file import.
Microsoft has developed over 70 standard entities that come with the installation of the Data Import Export Framework. The standard entities come predefined with a selection of fields available in the corresponding table. With the majority of the standard entities you can use a “multiple value separator” which allows for multiple values for a single record. Unfortunately, if you need more than one address for a vendor or customer you will need to use the Customer/Vendor Address Entity. Once the parameters and data formats have been setup you can go in and create the processing group and add the desired Entity.
- Go to Data Import / Export Framework > Common > Processing Group
- Click New Button
- Enter a Name and Description
- Click Action Button > Entities
- Click Generate Source File which will take you through a Wizard.
- Here you can select which fields you would like to import and define whether the field is mandatory or not.
- Align the Fields in your source file to the sequence designated in the Framework Wizard
- Note the Vendor ID is the indicator, a
- Click Finish and close the Wizard
- Specify the file location in the “Sample File Path” Field
- Click Generate Source Mapping
- If it is successful, then you are ready to begin the import
- Close the form
- Processing Group Form > Action Button > Get Staging Data
- Select the job ID to run
- Click Run
- Processing Group > Action Button Copy Data to Target
*Note! Copy Data To Target pushes the Data to the AX fields. The staging Table is a temporary table where data can edited prior to completing the import procedure.*
Finally verify your Data has ben imported correctly.