Choosing the Best Salesforce Data Loader in 2024: Key Features

Salesforce data loaders have evolved significantly since their onset, making it crucial for users to evaluate and select the best among the top contenders. Whether you are a Salesforce admin or a Sales Rep, identifying the right Salesforce data management solution will ensure increased productivity and data accuracy. (Everyone wins when data is accurate!)

At its core, all Salesforce data loaders provide the ability to select an object and fields on which data operations are to be carried out, a mapping utility, and a feedback mechanism informing users about the status of the operation.

However, only the best Salesforce data loaders offer extensive capabilities to understand and manage your data and metadata while giving you insights into data models and resolving common data loading errors.

In this article, we will dive into the essential attributes that a data loading tool needs to have to be crowned one of the top tools for admins. Join us for a comprehensive overview of the features, pros, and cons of the top data loaders in the 2024 market, alongside a comparison to Xappex XL-Connector 365.

What to look for in a Salesforce data loader?

Today, there are many apps that claim to get the data loading job done, but do they constantly error out? Do you waste your time identifying errors? Do they demand manual and repetitive labor? Do they have a record limit? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, then you may need to reconsider your admin tools. 

In 2024, admin teams have no time to spare, and the tools they choose should drive their productivity. It’s all about the quality of the data load and the versatility and efficiency of its functions that will ultimately measure the value of the tool. 

The following are 10 features that make a great Salesforce data loader in 2024

1. Data loading capacity and speed.
2. Error-finding and validation tools before the data load is performed.
3. Understanding of Salesforce language and data relationships, with precision in query building.
4. Automation: Easily automating and scheduling data operations and workflows for time savings.
5. No manual labor: Effective tools that eliminate manual tasks such as preparing .csv files and converting 15 to 18-character IDs.
6. Versatility in functions: Not just data exports and imports, but also upsert, mass delete, undelete, and duplicate record management tools.
7. Friendly UI: Usable by both non-developer users and those experienced with coding.
8. Cost-effective.
9. Excellent customer support: Having Salesforce professional support is a plus!
10. Collaborative tool: Facilitates team collaboration, notifications to team members, and enables seamless workflows.

What are some of the most popular Salesforce data loaders?

Let’s go through some of the pros and cons of some of the most relevant Salesforce data loaders:

5. Xappex XL-Connector 365

 

XL-Connector 365 is a modernised data loader platform deeply integrated to Salesforce that maximises the potential for all data loading and data management needs, including specialised use cases like mass lead conversion and managing duplicate records.

This plugin is available for download on the Microsoft Store and functions with on-premise MS Excel (Windows or Mac) and Excel online. You can also check out the XL-Connector for Excel, this plugin is a similar version to XL-Connector 365, but it works on Windows only and offers a wide range of admin tools. By obtaining a license for XL-Connector, you also get access to XL-Connector 365. 

The core functionality of XL-Connector 365 is the designing of templates which could be used for either export, insert, update, upsert, merge, delete or any combination of those. In-cell SOQL query editor allows Excel cell references for dynamic data extraction.

Once a template is built by an Admin, sales reps or other end users can smoothly perform data modifications within Excel and load them into Salesforce. Data validation feature of Excel smoothly gels with Salesforce picklist fields, allowing admins to set rules and avoid data inaccuracies.

Users can also pull existing Salesforce reports to analyze data with Excel instruments, modify field-level security for custom fields, update custom metadata, analyze page layouts and execute asynchronous Apex code.

If you prefer managing your Salesforce data in Google Sheets instead of Excel, you can try Xappex G-Connector, with similar capabilities to XL-Connector 365. 

Pros:

• Enables real-time data import/export.
• Multiple Salesforce orgs support without any limit.
• Convenient editing of Picklists, Multi-select picklists, Rich Text Area fields, Master-detail and Lookup relationships directly in Excel.
• Expose data loading functions to users without deep Salesforce knowledge by creating pre-built templates for data import/export runnable with a click of a button that can be placed directly in the workbook.
• Direct integration of Salesforce and Sharepoint. The users can run pre-built data loads directly from the record level in Salesforce UI.
• Updating data in Excel is simpler than navigating through multiple Salesforce records or having to work with CSV files.
• Advanced features like chunking of records and automatic data refresh are available.
• Data type validation is built-in helping to identify errors before the data load is performed.
• Chaining of multiple data operations is possible with the Flows functionality.
• Id’s from one data load can be passed to the next one to seamlessly load related records.
• No limit on the number of rows/records for data transactions.
• Minimum investment with cost-effective licensing.
• Excellent and free customer support.

Cons:

• Some processes rely on cell references requiring the position of data in Excel to be fixed.
• Since admin and end-user tasks are divided, frequent monitoring of templates might be required to ensure correctness.

Data Import Wizard

 

The built-in data loader tool of Salesforce, Data Import Wizard proves to be convenient for most data import needs. Admins can easily perform data inserts, updates and upserts via CSV files on all custom objects and a few standard objects like Accounts, Contacts and Leads. 

Users have the flexibility to decide whether workflow rules or processes should trigger during imports. With a simple, yet informative user interface, this wizard-based tool also offers auto-mapping of fields and monitoring of previous and current bulk data load jobs. 

Pros: 

• No investment required as it’s a tool available within Salesforce.
• Interactive user interface suited for quick and infrequent data imports.

Cons: 

• Limit of 50,000 records for a single data import job, which is the least among competitors.
• Unavailability of the data export feature makes data updates/upserts cumbersome.
• Not all standard objects are supported and deletion of data is not possible.
• Dependency on CSV files requires significant time and effort for manual data manipulation.

 

Data Loader

 

Data Loader can be seen as an enhanced version of Data Import Wizard, offering advanced settings such as bulk processing, data formatting options and chunking of records.

It is an independent app from Salesforce and carries out data operations via SOAP API or Bulk API. 

With export possible, Salesforce data can be extracted in a CSV format and the same file can be used to modify the data and reload it back into Salesforce. Additionally, mappings of Salesforce fields and external databases can be saved, resulting in less overhead for data operations having such dependency.

Such advanced features, a user-friendly UI and zero investment make Data Loader the most widely used by the Salesforce community.

Pros:

• Parallel processing with Bulk API offers exceptional speeds for DML  operations.
• Ability to include owner assignment rules.
• Fast operation
• Free to use and supports insert, update, upsert, export and delete operations.

Cons:

• Creating scheduled jobs is not possible unless you want to go in the depth of Windows scheduler and command prompt complexities.
• Dependency on separate CSV files for each object requires significant time and effort for manual data preparation and loading.
• Incorrect data formatting or mapping in the CSV file can result in data import errors.
• Resulting Error and Success files are disconnected from the CSV file being loaded and will require some time to identify which error relates to which row in the original data.
• Inability to validate and identify preventable type conversion errors before data load happens.
• Highly inconvenient to rectify data once incorrect data is loaded.
• Customer support can be lengthy due to the complexities involved

3. DataLoader.io

 

Dataloader.io is a browser-based platform and was originally developed by Mulesoft. Similar to the Data Loader app, it supports data processing features like Bulk API, Hard delete, timeout setting and exports into CSV format.

Its capability to support direct data transfers to and from FTP sites, DropBox and external databases like Oracle or SQL server reduces dependency on spreadsheets or CSVs !

Furthermore, users can also schedule data insertion or update jobs to run on a set frequency and enable email notifications to stay on top of these.

The pricing model operates on a monthly basis per user and varies based on the number of scheduled jobs and records. However, given its exceptional features, DataLoader.io is certainly worth considering!

Pros:

• The enterprise version supports connecting Dataloader.io to multiple Salesforce instances.
• Scheduling of jobs provides significant value.
• Advanced mapping techniques are available. For example, one field could be mapped into multiple destination fields.

Cons:

• Subscription model is pricey. The enterprise edition costs $299 per month per user.
• Similar to Data Loader App, requires several spreadsheets to execute operations on related objects.
• While it supports data transfers from external databases and cloud storages, the range of systems is limited.

 

4. Jitterbit Data Loader for Salesforce

 

The cloud-based architecture and advanced data transformation features of Jitterbit make it an excellent middleware platform for integrating external systems with Salesforce.

While Jitterbit offers core data loader functionalities, its true value is derived from its extensive functions library, scripting and encoding capabilities which enable seamless data flow to and from Salesforce. 

Along with File-Share and cloud-hosted FTP sites, Jitterbit also facilitates connectivity with ODBC and JDBC databases. Projects are securely saved on the cloud and users can monitor operation logs and jobs history via the cloud console.

All these amazing features are available in the free version.

Pros:

• Jitterbit engines provide powerful performance and speed.
• Jitterbit Harmony (paid offering) supports direct integration with a plethora of systems like SAP, WorkDay and Shopify
• Auto-mapping of fields is possible and scheduled jobs can be created
• Data transformation can be customised extensively causing less overhead for source and target systems.

Cons:

• The full extent of capabilities is available through a paid subscription (Jitterbit Harmony)
• A developer or a technical Admin is required to build data transformation scripts.
• Not the best user interface.
• Setting up connections and scripts can be challenging and time-consuming.

We hope you’re finding value in your search for the Best Data Loader for Salesforce that suits your needs. Keep reading to explore a few more data loader platforms!

The next two data loaders described are add-ons that operate within Excel or Google Sheets. With such tools, users can perform or automate comprehensive data management tasks in Salesforce and also leverage the analysis and reporting features of Excel.

By merging the simplicity of Excel data management with advanced data operations in Salesforce, these tools represent the next generation of data loaders. Users can operate within their favourite spreadsheet tool to manage Salesforce data and configurations with greater agility and fewer errors. An interactive and user-friendly UI makes them suitable for a programmer as well as someone new to Salesforce.

6. Google Data Connector for Salesforce

 

This add-on also simplifies Salesforce data management but within Google Sheets.

Google’s Salesforce Data Connector‘s features are limited to simple imports, updates or deletion of data when compared to XL-Connector 365, but this also makes it simpler to adopt.

Available in the G-Suite Marketplace, this add-on also provides features for dynamic SOQL queries and retrieving Salesforce Reports.

Pros:

• User-friendly UI and minimal features ensure simplicity for executing basic data operations.
• Free to use.

Cons:

• Limited features make it challenging to execute complex data operations.

• Error-prone: Processes rely on cell references, so changes in the position of data in Sheets could lead to failures.
• Automatic data sync is not fully possible – data can be pulled from Salesforce with sync but pushing back the updates needs to be done manually.
• Frequency of scheduling data jobs is limited with a range from every 4 hours to 24 hours.
• No customer support, so you’re on your own if you have any questions.

 

Conclusion: 

In the fast-paced world of 2024, where data quality processes should be synchronized to perfection like a Swiss army clock, data loading tools will be measured by their efficiency and productivity. It’s no surprise that many popular data loading tools will be found wanting.

Common time-consuming issues such as data loading timeouts, the inability to identify errors, or concerns over correct ID matching are simply outdated. Data loading tools that require manual CSV manipulation and make you work for them instead of solving your problems are just not up to the task.

The regular export/import functions are just the basics. What data loaders need to bring is a comprehensive data management toolbox that can not only automate and perform any data operation and manipulation in bulk but also extract and transform specific data from Salesforce with surgical precision. For this, you need tools that offer deeper integration into Salesforce’s language and understanding of relationships between records.

In conclusion, after examining the capabilities of various Salesforce data loaders, it’s clear that XL-Connector 365 from Xappex stands out as a premier choice for Salesforce data management needs. It empowers users to seamlessly integrate Salesforce with Excel, facilitating complex data operations with enhanced productivity and reduced errors. While other data loaders offer competitive features, XL-Connector 365 excels in its comprehensive functionality, user-friendly interface, and cost-effectiveness.

Install a free trial of XL-Connector 365 and take your data management to new heights!

 

Comparing Salesforce Data Loading Tools (2024)