This article explains how to use the Salesforce Data Import Wizard to bulk update Account record owners.
Bulk updating Account owners can be useful in scenarios such as:
The process involves exporting Account data to a CSV file, replacing the current owner values with the new owner's Salesforce User ID, and then re-importing the updated file using the Data Import Wizard's Update mode.
Resolution
Create an Accounts report that includes the following fields:
Account Owner
Account ID
Account Name
Optionally, include additional fields to help identify the Accounts that need to be transferred.
Export the report as a CSV (comma-separated values) file.
Open the CSV file in Excel and sort the data by Account Owner.
Obtain the Salesforce User ID of the new Account owner by navigating to:
Salesforce Classic
Setup > Manage Users > Users
Lightning Experience
Setup > Users > Users
Click the name of the user who will become the new owner and copy the Salesforce User ID from the URL. The User ID is a 15- or 18-character ID beginning with 005.
Example URLs:
Replace the existing Account Owner values in the CSV file with the appropriate Salesforce User IDs for the new owners.
Note: If ownership is being transferred to multiple users, consider creating a report of active users to obtain all User IDs at once.
Save the updated CSV file.
Launch the Data Import Wizard:
Salesforce Classic
Setup > Data Management > Data Import Wizard
Click Launch Wizard
Select Accounts and Contacts
Select Update Existing Records
Lightning Experience
Setup > Enter Data Import Wizard in Quick Find
Click Launch Wizard
Select Accounts and Contacts
Select Update Existing Records
Select Match by Salesforce ID and choose Update Existing Account Information.
Map the CSV columns as follows:
Account ID → Account: Salesforce.com ID
Account Owner → Account: Record Owner
Review the mappings and click Start Import.
You can update ownership for multiple users within the same CSV file by assigning the appropriate Salesforce User ID to each Account record.
Administrators can also use the Mass Transfer Records feature in Salesforce to transfer ownership and related records directly through the user interface.
[VIDEO] Data Import: Owner IDs and Parent IDs | Salesforce
This video demonstrates how to perform bulk Account owner transfers using the Data Import Wizard, including:
Locating User IDs in Salesforce Classic and Lightning Experience.
Preparing the CSV file for import.
Mapping fields correctly during the import process.
Prepare a CSV File for an Import or Update in Salesforce
Locate the Unique ID of a Record in Salesforce
Explore the Import Wizard (Video) – Video walkthrough of the Salesforce Data Import Wizard demonstrating how to import and update Account records, including owner field mapping.
Mass Transfer Records
Explore the Import Wizard
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