> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://kb.bevica.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://kb.bevica.com/documentation/guides/setup-and-configuration/importing_customer-_vendor_and_item_data.md).

# Importing Customer, Vendor and Item Data

Import customers, vendors, and items into Business Central for a clean Bevica start.

You are able to use configuration packages to import data. We have standard packages within Bevica for items, vendors, and customers.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Prerequisites**

Knowledge of Bevica.

Knowledge of configuration packages.
{% endhint %}

### Testing configuration packages

Before you load an Excel template file into your production environment, it is advisable to test importing the data into a sandbox first. Once imported, check the data looks correct and you can post transactions correctly.

### Importing configuration packages

The standard Bevica configuration packages are available at the bottom of this article. Once downloaded, you can import them into Bevica:

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Step 1

Search for **Configuration Packages**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Step 2

From the ribbon, select **Import Package**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Step 3

Select the package and click on Open
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Step 4

Once imported the package will appear in the configuration package list
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

If you need to amend the template by adding or removing columns you can do this by ticking or unticking the **Include Field** column.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you make any changes to the templates, ensure that you:

* do not remove any mandatory fields
* do not amend the **Validate** Field column
  {% endhint %}

### B-DM-CUSTOMER

Use this package to import customer data. See [Customer Template](/bevica-select/bevica-select-data-migration/bevica_select_-_data_migration_and_go-live-templates/bevica_select_-_customer_template.md) (table row 18) for details of the fields included in the template and how to populate them.

This template can also be used to import the following:

* [Ship-to Addresses](/bevica-select/bevica-select-data-migration/bevica_select_-_data_migration_and_go-live-templates/bevica_select_-_customer_ship-to_addresses_template.md) (table row 222)
* [Customer comments](/bevica-select/bevica-select-data-migration/bevica_select_-_data_migration_and_go-live-templates/bevica_select_-_comments_template.md) (table row 97)
* [Emails for document outputs](/bevica-select/bevica-select-data-migration/bevica_select_-_data_migration_and_go-live-templates/bevica_select_-_customer_output_email_addresses_template.md) such as invoices and statements (table row 9657)

### B-DM-ITEM

Use this package to import item data. See [Item Template](/bevica-select/bevica-select-data-migration/bevica_select_-_data_migration_and_go-live-templates/bevica_select_-_item_template.md) (table row 27) for details of the fields included in the template and how to populate them.

{% hint style="info" %}
When importing items which are duty controlled, if you make any changes to the B-DM-ITEM template, make sure that you:

* include the **Alc. % Vol**, **Unit Volume** and **Duty Code** fields and all are ticked to be validated
* ensure the **Alc. % Vol** and **Unit Volume** fields are before the **Duty Code**
* *do not include* the **Duty Controlled** field - this will be populated by the system as part of validating the Duty Code
  {% endhint %}

This template can also be used to import the following:

* [Sales and Purchase prices](/bevica-select/bevica-select-data-migration/bevica_select_-_data_migration_and_go-live-templates/bevica_select_-_sales_and_purchase_prices_and_discounts_-new_price_experience.md) - new price experience (table row 7001)

### B-DM-VENDOR

Use this package to import item data. See [Vendor Template](/bevica-select/bevica-select-data-migration/bevica_select_-_data_migration_and_go-live-templates/bevica_select_-_vendor_template.md) (table row 23) for details of the fields included in the template and how to populate them.

This template can also be used to import the following:

* [Vendor bank accounts](/bevica-select/bevica-select-data-migration/bevica_select_-_data_migration_and_go-live-templates/bevica_select_-_vendor_bank_account_template.md) (table row 288)
* [Vendor comments](/bevica-select/bevica-select-data-migration/bevica_select_-_data_migration_and_go-live-templates/bevica_select_-_comments_template.md) (table row 97)

### Exporting Templates

All templates can be accessed from the **Configuration Package** page.

Open the Company you want to import records into; from the Role Centre select the **Cog** icon (top right), then **My Settings**. Change the **Company** value to the required company.

Open the relevant Configuration Package, put your cursor on the table row you would like to import data for and on the line ribbon select **Excel** and **Export to Template.**

This will open a pre-configured Excel spreadsheet where you can enter or copy/paste your details. The details of how to populate each column is provided in the links above.

{% hint style="info" %}

* You should not modify the layout of the Excel template itself. Bevica is expecting the columns and data in their original position.
* If your Bevica company already has records these will be in the template, delete these rows if you do not need to change them.
  {% endhint %}

### Data Checks and Field Types

When importing data, Bevica checks that the data is technically correct, it does this in two ways:

* any data entered that relies on a **related table** exists. i.e. the currency code held against a customer exists in the Currency Code table. The template explanation pages detail where related tables exist.
* that the data matches the **field type**, i.e. you can't enter text into a date field.

The template articles detail where related tables exist and field types.

It does not check:

* Spelling
* the validity of the information itself, i.e. that a price is correct or that the currency code entered against a customer is the right one for that customer.

Common field types:

| Field Type       | Explanation                                                                                                                                                      |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Code (##)        | Denotes a special type of string that is converted to uppercase and removes any trailing or leading spaces. ## denotes the maximum number of characters allowed. |
| Text (##)        | Denotes standard text. ## denotes the maximum number of characters allowed.                                                                                      |
| Date             | Date field. The format is as per your Microsoft Windows settings.                                                                                                |
| Number/Decimal   | Denotes decimal numbers ranging from -999,999,999,999,999.99 to +999,999,999,999,999.99.                                                                         |
| Integer          | Stores whole numbers with values that range from -2,147,483,647 to 2,147,483,647. No decimal places allowed.                                                     |
| Boolean (Yes/No) | Indicates true or false.                                                                                                                                         |
| Option           | Denotes a predefined set of options. You must use one of the options listed.                                                                                     |

A full set of data types can be found here: [Data Types and Methods](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/dynamics365/business-central/dev-itpro/developer/methods-auto/library)

### Import Templates

After populating the Excel spreadsheet, from the **Configuration Package**, highlight the correct table row and on the line ribbon select **Excel** then **Import from Excel**. Follow the dialog boxes and locate your file on your network, click **Open**.

The **View - Config. Package Import Preview** dialog box appears. On this screen select **Import** on the ribbon.

This will start the import process, checking the data and creating **Package Records**, the data is now inside Bevica but not yet applied to the master record. You can view it if necessary, from the line ribbon select **Table**, **Package Data** (or drill down on the **No. of Package Records** field).

To apply the imported details, from the line ribbon select **Functions** and **Apply Data.** After confirming the **Do you want to apply package data for the selected tables?** message, Bevica attempts to import the data into the selected table. This may take some time as it runs through the number of records and validates each field. Once completed a status box tells you the result.

### Viewing the imported data

Where there are no errors or some records were imported successfully the data can be seen from the line ribbon, **Table**, Database Data (or drill down on the **No. Database Records**). It is also possible to navigate to the real list or card page that holds the data and view it normally.

### Fixing import errors

If the above dialog identifies a number of errors, navigate to the table row you were trying to import and, from the line ribbon select, **Table** and **Errors** (or drill down on the **No. Package Errors**).

The **Config. Package Records** page that appears will list all the records that were not able to be imported because of one or more errors. To see the error, on the ribbon select the ellipsis (...) then **Show Error**.

Where there are a small number of errors they can be manually fixed on this list page, then rerun **Apply Data**. Where there are a significant number of errors, you can make a note of the errors, fix the data in your Excel spreadsheet and reimport. Importing the Excel template will overwrite any existing Package data.

### Further information

The **RapidStart Configuration Worksheet** and **Configuration Packages** used above have been predefined by the Bevica team to let you import data quickly and easily. There may be occasions where a piece of information that Bevica can hold is not included. To learn more from Microsoft on how you can create your own data export and import routines see here:

* [Setup company configuration packages](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/dynamics365/business-central/admin-how-to-prepare-a-configuration-package)
* [Apply company configuration packages](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/dynamics365/business-central/admin-use-templates-to-prepare-customer-data-for-migration)


---

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