Use the Master Data Import Worksheet to import and modify all kind of data

The Master Data Import Worksheet in Business Central lets you import data into many different tables from a single, journal-like interface. You get up to 50 columns and a set of predefined templates out of the box for the most common tables, such as items, customers, and vendors.

You download the worksheet together with Master Data Information, and it arrives ready to use with column and field setup already defined. You map your Excel sheet to the columns and run the import. The worksheet shows you whether each line succeeded.

You can combine Master Data Information and basic table data in the same import. For example, you can import standard item fields like unit of measure, costing method, and standard cost, while at the same time creating master data values like size and color.

You can set up separate templates per vendor. Copy an item template, map it to each vendor’s data layout, and reuse it to import new batches of items year after year.

What the Master Data Import Worksheet does

The Master Data Import Worksheet comes with Master Data Information and is built to import data into all the different tables in Business Central. It looks and works like a journal, with up to 50 columns to hold your data.

When you download Master Data Information, the worksheet arrives predefined with templates for the common tables you typically want to import. Compared to some of the standard import tools in Business Central, this gives you ready-made templates out of the box, complete with column setup and field setup, and a supporting Excel sheet.

Importing items, customers, and vendors

You can use the worksheet to import many different data items: customers, vendors, items, and more. The process is straightforward. You select a template, for example an item template, prepare an Excel sheet with your items, and map it to the columns in the worksheet.

It is easy to implement, apply, and carry out. You can view the actions directly in the worksheet, where indicators show you whether each line was a success.

Combining master data and basic table data in one import

A useful feature is the ability to combine Master Data Information and basic table data at the same time. In an item import worksheet, you can add master data values while also writing information directly to the item table.

For example, you might keep unit of measure, costing method, and standard cost as standard fields on the item, while size and color are master data values you create and import in the same operation.

Setting up templates per vendor

You can set up the worksheet with separate item templates for each vendor. If different vendors deliver their item data in different layouts, you can give each vendor its own template.

Take an item template, copy it, and map it to the layout each vendor uses. Once these vendor templates are set up, importing new batches of items every year becomes a simple, repeatable task.

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