You cannot directly bulk update fields or the PublishStatus of published Knowledge Articles using Data Loader. Bulk updates via Data Loader can only be performed on articles in Draft status. Additionally, you cannot bulk change published articles to Draft status using Data Loader.

Standard Functionality Limitations

The following limitations apply to updating Knowledge Articles:

• You cannot publish or archive articles using Data Loader.

• The PublishStatus field cannot be updated via Data Loader.

• To perform updates, you must edit each article individually to create a draft version.

Workaround: Using Flow

Although direct updates are not possible with standard functionality, you can automate part of the process using Salesforce Flow standard actions. Consider implementing logic within a Flow that uses the following Knowledge Actions to revert articles to draft and then republish them:

• Create Draft from Online Knowledge Article (createDraftFromOnlineKnowledgeArticle)

  • Creates a draft version from a published article. 

  • Action Setting Overview: Specify EDIT_AS_DRAFT_ARTICLE (Edit as draft article).

• Publish Knowledge Article (publishKnowledgeArticle)

  • Publishes the edited draft article.

  •  Action Setting Overview: Specify PUBLISH_ARTICLE_NEW_VERSION (Publish as new version).

References

• Salesforce Knowledge: Tips to Update Knowledge Base Articles With Salesforce Data Loader
• Salesforce Knowledge Developer Guide: Create Draft from Online Knowledge Article | Knowledge Actions