Migrating Data | Online Help - Zoho CRM

Data Migration: An Introduction

The Data Migration wizard in Zoho CRM ensures that your data is migrated accurately and helps you reduce much of the manual work. It automatically maps import files to CRM modules and import file columns to Zoho CRM fields. In the case of modules that are not already available, Zoho CRM creates them and maps the relevant files to them. It gives you a clear indication of the number files that are mapped, unmapped and any that are not supported. 

Migrating to Zoho CRM can be an easy experience but in case you are stuck in any of the steps, please feel free to contact us at migration@zohocrm.com.

Availability
Permission Required
Users with Data Migration permission in their profile can access this feature.

Migrate Options

There are a few options to migrate. Zoho CRM provides a custom-made setup to migrate from Salesforce, other Zoho CRM accounts, Pipedrive, Highrise, Insightly, MS Dynamics, Maximizer or any other CRM.

You can migrate from Pipedrive, Highrise, Hubspot, and Insightly via API. All you need is the instance URL to get going. 

Before you migrate

We recommend that you go through the following guidelines for an overview of the migration process.

  • The files should be in CSV format.
  • The file size can be a maximum of 8 GB. The number of files that you can migrate at one time is limited to 200.
  • You can upload a ZIP file which should have the following structure:  Upon opening the .ZIP file it should contain only CSV files. If there are any folders inside the .ZIP file system will throw error during file insert.  
  • Most of the Standard modules will get associated to the system automatically based on the file names in Zoho CRM. If you have any custom modules, then you will be provided with two options to create custom modules either during or before migration.
    • File will move to unmapped section, it will ask for suggestion click ok>> custom modules will get created
    • Based on the file, you can create custom module from unmapped.  

  • If you have unmapped files, you can create a module and add the appropriate files to that module.
  • You can also create this as a linking module. For example, you are creating a new module called "Doctors" and you want to link it with the Patients module. You can do this right from this window.

  • Zoho CRM will suggest custom fields that are available in the import file but not in Zoho CRM. If required, you can create these fields before and during migration. 
  • Depending on the application you are migrating data from, you may skip a couple of modules that are not relevant. 
  • Two or more files can be mapped to a module. In this case, the column header should be the same in all the files; only then you can map them to a single module.
    For example, if there are 2 lead files with the column headers Lead name, Company, Address 1, Address 2, Address 3 etc. Then the lead2.csv file must also contain the same column headers. 

Migration checklist

  1. File format: The supported format is CSV. 
  2. Checkbox fields: The values for checkbox type fields in the import file should be either "True" or "False”. Imported data from checkbox fields is converted in Zoho CRM as follows:
    • If checkbox is selected, True or 1
    • If checkbox is not selected, False or 0
  3. Characters not allowed: Data in the file to be imported should not contain the following characters:
    • Double quotation marks ("): use only as a field delimiter
    • Vertical bar (|)
    • Angle brackets (<>)
  4. Multi-select pick list fields: The values should be separated by semi-colons in the import file.
  5. Migrating Tags: Tags should be present in your file as comma separated values. If a record has more than 10 tags, only the first 10 tags will be migrated and each tag can have a maximum of 25 characters.
       

  6. Migrating Subforms: Subforms can be migrated from any module. Let's say the  Students module has two subforms: Educational Details and Achievements. So, during migration, you must map the file to the Students module and the appropriate subform. The module-file mapping will display the name of the subform along with the module name (Educational Details-Students). Before migrating you must ensure that the parent module and appropriate subform are already mapped. 

  7. Migrating Users: You will not be able to migrate users who already have a separate Zoho CRM account. The users can only be imported to your company's CRM account after they close their separate Zoho CRM account.
  8. Update Mandatory Fields: You need to have data for all the mandatory fields in Zoho CRM in your import file. For example, "Last Name" is a mandatory field in Zoho CRM. Make sure that the "Last Name" column in your Leads import file has values. For the records that do not have a last name, you need to specify the values as 'not provided' or 'none'. Any records that lack values for the mandatory fields will be ignored during import. During migration you will get an option to fill the mandatory blank values.
  9. Drop-down List: All data values displayed in the dropdown lists must exist in the corresponding Zoho CRM fields.
    For example, if you plan to import account information that contains a value for the Industry Type drop-down list, before you import the account information, make sure all the industry values in the source file already appear in the dropdown list. If the values do not exist, you must either change the values in the source file to match the existing values in Zoho CRM, or have your administrator add the new values. It will be added even if the values are absent.
  10. Field names: Make sure the first row of data (records) in the source file contains the column headings or field names rather than the actual data values. These heading field name values help identify the data when you map the new data to the existing fields in Zoho CRM. Column names will be the field names.
  11. Blank rows in the import file: More than 10 blank rows in the file might indicate the end of the file. Data after the blank rows will be ignored during import. Make sure not to leave blank rows in between rows of data.
  12. User data: Always migrate the user details into your Zoho CRM first. Then make sure the record's Owner ID field is mapped with the Record Owner ID in Zoho CRM. For example, when you migrate leads, map the Leads Owner ID field from the file with corresponding field in Zoho CRM.

Note
  • During data migration, it is not possible to check for duplicates, skip, or overwrite records in CRM. The data will be migrated as it is.

The modules and their Zoho-defined mandatory fields are listed in the table below. Please make sure to map these fields when you import. There may be other mandatory fields in each module, but you can always customize and mark the fields as non mandatory, if required.

Module 
Mandatory Fields
Module 
Mandatory Fields
Module
Mandatory Fields
Leads
  • Last Name
Cases
  • Case Origin
  • Subject
  • Status
Products
  • Product Name
Accounts
  • Account Name
Solutions
  • Solution Title
Vendors
  • Vendor Name
Contacts
  • Last Name
Sales Orders
  • Subject
Price Books
  • Price Book Name
Deals
  • Deal Name
  • Stage
  • Closing Date
Quotes
  • Subject
Invoices
  • Subject
Campaigns
  • Campaign Name
Purchase Orders
  • Subject
  • Vendor Name
Calls
  • Subject
  • Call Type
Tasks
  • Subject
Events
  • Title
 
 

SEE ALSO
Migrating data from:

    Zoho CRM Training Programs

    Learn how to use the best tools for sales force automation and better customer engagement from Zoho's implementation specialists.

    Zoho CRM Training
      Redefine the way you work
      with Zoho Workplace

        Zoho DataPrep Personalized Demo

        If you'd like a personalized walk-through of our data preparation tool, please request a demo and we'll be happy to show you how to get the best out of Zoho DataPrep.

        Zoho CRM Training

          Create, share, and deliver

          beautiful slides from anywhere.

          Get Started Now


            Zoho Sign now offers specialized one-on-one training for both administrators and developers.

            BOOK A SESSION








                                You are currently viewing the help pages of Qntrl’s earlier version. Click here to view our latest version—Qntrl 3.0's help articles.




                                    Manage your brands on social media

                                      Zoho Desk Resources

                                      • Desk Community Learning Series


                                      • Digest


                                      • Functions


                                      • Meetups


                                      • Kbase


                                      • Resources


                                      • Glossary


                                      • Desk Marketplace


                                      • MVP Corner


                                      • Word of the Day


                                        Zoho Marketing Automation

                                          Zoho Sheet Resources

                                           

                                              Zoho Forms Resources


                                                Secure your business
                                                communication with Zoho Mail


                                                Mail on the move with
                                                Zoho Mail mobile application

                                                  Stay on top of your schedule
                                                  at all times


                                                  Carry your calendar with you
                                                  Anytime, anywhere




                                                        Zoho Sign Resources

                                                          Sign, Paperless!

                                                          Sign and send business documents on the go!

                                                          Get Started Now




                                                                  Zoho TeamInbox Resources



                                                                          Zoho DataPrep Resources



                                                                            Zoho DataPrep Demo

                                                                            Get a personalized demo or POC

                                                                            REGISTER NOW


                                                                              Design. Discuss. Deliver.

                                                                              Create visually engaging stories with Zoho Show.

                                                                              Get Started Now







                                                                                            You are currently viewing the help articles of Sprints 1.0. If you are a user of 2.0, please refer here.

                                                                                            You are currently viewing the help articles of Sprints 2.0. If you are a user of 1.0, please refer here.



                                                                                                  • Related Articles

                                                                                                  • Data Administration - An Overview

                                                                                                    The purpose of the Zoho CRM data administration tools are to guide the CRM Administrator in creating, verifying and ensuring data integrity by maintaining relationships and implementing access controls throughout the databases. Based on the ...
                                                                                                  • FAQs: Data Migration

                                                                                                    What is Data Migration wizard in Zoho CRM? The data migration wizard in Zoho CRM ensures that your data is migrated correctly and helps you reduce much of the manual work. It automatically maps import files to CRM modules and matches data columns to ...
                                                                                                  • Requesting Data Backup

                                                                                                    Data Backup allows you to maintain a copy of CRM data that may be mandatory in to abide by company's guidelines and regulations. It also helps to have a copy of previous data for reference. Availability Permission Required Users with administrative ...
                                                                                                  • Importing Data to Zoho CRM

                                                                                                    Data can be gathered through various sources such as, purchasing a record database, collecting from trade shows and campaigns, and so on. Importing records from such external sources to Zoho CRM is one of the most important lead creation activities ...
                                                                                                  • Data Migration

                                                                                                    Bring-in data to Zoho CRM from other sources using Data Migration Help guide Data Migration - An Introduction Migrating Data from Other CRMs Migrating Data from Salesforce
                                                                                                    Wherever you are is as good as
                                                                                                    your workplace

                                                                                                      Resources

                                                                                                      Videos

                                                                                                      Watch comprehensive videos on features and other important topics that will help you master Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                      eBooks

                                                                                                      Download free eBooks and access a range of topics to get deeper insight on successfully using Zoho CRM.



                                                                                                      Webinars

                                                                                                      Sign up for our webinars and learn the Zoho CRM basics, from customization to sales force automation and more.



                                                                                                      CRM Tips

                                                                                                      Make the most of Zoho CRM with these useful tips.



                                                                                                        Zoho Show Resources