Salesforce Import Readiness

SALESFORCE IMPORT READINESS CHECKLIST.

Salesforce imports, migrations, UAT cycles, and record operations can be blocked by object configuration that was visible before records were loaded. A selected-object readiness review helps admins identify required fields, restricted picklists, record types, validation rules, Apex triggers, and Flow metadata before record work begins.

Read-only diagnostics · Review-ready workbooks · No package install · No Connected App

A clean source file does not guarantee a clean import.

Salesforce record operations are shaped by object configuration: required fields, restricted picklists, record types, validation rules, Apex triggers, and Flow metadata. These can affect inserts and updates regardless of how well-prepared the source data appears.

A selected-object readiness review surfaces that configuration before record work begins, not after records start failing.

01

WHAT IS SALESFORCE IMPORT READINESS?

Salesforce import readiness is the process of reviewing selected-object metadata and configuration before records are loaded, migrated, tested, or created. The goal is to identify required fields, restricted picklists, record types, validation rules, Apex triggers, and Flow metadata that may affect record operations before the first record is inserted or updated.

A practical Salesforce import readiness review should answer

  • Which fields are required?
  • Which lookups are required?
  • Which picklists are restricted?
  • Which record types apply?
  • Which validation rules are active?
  • Which Apex triggers exist on the selected objects?
  • Which Flow metadata is available for review?
  • Which findings need cleanup, mapping, testing, or stakeholder review before records are loaded?

The goal is not to simulate every possible record save. The goal is a structured first-pass review of what may affect records on selected objects.

02

WHY IMPORTS FAIL EVEN WHEN THE CSV LOOKS RIGHT.

Import problems are often readiness problems, not spreadsheet problems.

A CSV can be clean while Salesforce configuration still blocks record operations:

  • Required fields may not be obvious from a spreadsheet
  • Required lookups may need valid related records that do not yet exist
  • Restricted picklists may reject source values not in the allowed set
  • Record types may change picklist availability or process behavior
  • Validation rules may depend on field combinations not present in the source data
  • Apex triggers and Flow metadata may affect record operations on selected objects
  • UAT test data can fail for the same reasons production imports fail

Reviewing selected-object configuration before loading records is more efficient than diagnosing failures after they occur.

03

WHEN SHOULD ADMINS RUN AN IMPORT READINESS REVIEW?

An import readiness review is most useful as a first-pass diagnostic before record work begins.

Situations where an import readiness review is useful

  • Before importing leads, contacts, accounts, opportunities, cases, or custom object records
  • Before data migration projects
  • Before UAT test data creation
  • Before sandbox testing cycles
  • Before inherited-org cleanup where the configuration is unclear
  • Before changing record types or picklist values
  • Before updating validation rules on high-volume objects
  • Before bulk record updates
  • Before handoff to a consultant or migration partner
04

REVIEW REQUIRED FIELDS AND REQUIRED LOOKUPS.

Required fields are among the most common sources of import failures. A required-field review helps admins identify mapping gaps before import files are finalized.

A required-field and required-lookup review should cover:

  • Required standard fields on selected objects
  • Required custom fields on selected objects
  • Required lookups that need valid related records to exist before import
  • Fields that appear optional in the source file but matter in Salesforce
  • Required fields that differ in behavior by object or record type
  • Missing mapping values that need stakeholder review or source-data updates

Required lookups need valid target records to exist in Salesforce before import. Reviewing lookup dependencies early helps avoid blocked inserts.

05

REVIEW RESTRICTED PICKLISTS.

Restricted picklists may affect imports when source values do not match the allowed Salesforce value set. This is common when source data comes from a legacy system, an external tool, or a previous Salesforce instance with different picklist values.

A restricted picklist review should identify:

  • Which picklists are restricted on selected objects
  • Which picklist values are available in the allowed set
  • How picklist values may differ across record types
  • Legacy or unexpected source values that need review or mapping decisions
  • Multi-select picklist fields that may require special handling
  • Blank or unexpected values in the source data that need cleanup before import

Restricted picklists may affect imports when source values do not match allowed Salesforce values. Identifying these mismatches before loading records reduces the need to fix failed records after the fact.

06

REVIEW RECORD TYPES.

Record type review helps admins avoid loading records into the wrong process path. Record types can affect picklist availability, user workflows, and the behavior of validation rules and automation on selected objects.

A record type review should cover:

  • Which record types exist on selected objects
  • How record types may affect picklist value availability
  • How record type assignment maps to import source data
  • Missing or inconsistent record type mapping in the source file
  • Undocumented or legacy record types that lack clear ownership
  • Records that need owner or process review before assignment

Imported records assigned to the wrong record type may have incorrect picklist constraints, trigger different automation, or need manual correction after loading.

07

REVIEW VALIDATION RULES.

Validation rules may affect inserts or updates depending on the data, record type, user context, and rule conditions. They are one of the automation types most likely to block UAT test data and imports without obvious advance warning.

A validation rule review should identify:

  • Active validation rules on selected objects
  • Object association for each rule
  • Error messages and rule descriptions where available
  • Conditions that may affect imports or UAT depending on data and context
  • Rules that apply only under certain field combinations or record type conditions
  • Rules with unclear descriptions or missing ownership
  • Rules on high-volume import objects that need review before loading records

Validation rules may affect record creation, record updates, imports, migrations, and UAT depending on the data and conditions involved. Reviewing them before work begins reduces unexpected failures during test cycles.

08

REVIEW APEX TRIGGERS AND FLOW METADATA.

Apex triggers and Flow metadata represent automation that may be active on selected objects. Reviewing available metadata before bulk record operations helps admins identify automation that needs stakeholder, developer, or architect review before records are loaded.

This is not a simulation of record saves. It is a selected-object readiness review based on available metadata.

An automation metadata review for import readiness should cover:

  • Apex triggers on selected objects and their active status
  • Flow metadata where available for selected objects
  • Triggered Flows where available
  • Object-level automation signals that may affect record operations
  • Older custom logic that may be legacy review candidates
  • Missing descriptions or unclear ownership in automation entries
  • Automation that needs admin, developer, or architect review before bulk record operations

Automation on selected objects is a review area, not a definitive list of blockers. The metadata review helps identify what to investigate before records are loaded.

09

GROUP FINDINGS BY OBJECT.

Imports are object-specific. Migrations are often staged by object. UAT test data is created by object and process. Grouping import readiness findings by object makes it easier to review, assign, and track readiness decisions before record work begins.

Object-level grouping supports:

  • Assigning object owners or workstream owners for review
  • Staging import readiness decisions by object and dependency order
  • Reviewing validation rules, picklists, record types, triggers, and Flows by object in a single view
  • Documenting review decisions at the object level for handoff or stakeholder sign-off

Common object scenarios

  • Lead import: required fields, restricted picklists, and assignment-related automation review
  • Opportunity migration: record types, validation rules, and triggered automation review
  • Case UAT data: record types, picklist configuration, and process automation review
  • Custom object import: required lookups and validation rule review
10

SALESFORCE IMPORT READINESS CHECKLIST.

Required field review

  • Review required fields on selected objects
  • Review required lookups
  • Compare required fields against source data
  • Identify missing mapping values
  • Flag fields that need stakeholder review

Picklist review

  • Review restricted picklists on selected objects
  • Compare source values against allowed values
  • Review record-type-specific picklist values
  • Identify legacy or unexpected source values
  • Flag values that need cleanup or mapping decisions

Record type review

  • Review available record types on selected objects
  • Confirm record type mapping approach
  • Review picklist behavior by record type
  • Identify undocumented or legacy record types
  • Flag records that need owner or process review

Validation and automation review

  • Review active validation rules on selected objects
  • Review validation rule error messages
  • Review Apex triggers on selected objects
  • Review Flow metadata where available
  • Flag automation entries that need admin, developer, or architect review

Testing and handoff review

  • Create a small test batch before bulk import
  • Document known blockers and review decisions
  • Assign review owners by object or workstream
  • Track remediation decisions
  • Keep the workbook as the review artifact for handoff
11

IMPORT READINESS VS AUTOMATION INVENTORY.

Both diagnostics support import and automation review, but they answer different questions.

DiagnosticPrimary questionBest forOutput
Automation Impact AwarenessWhat selected-object metadata may affect records?Imports, migrations, UAT, bulk updates, and selected-object readinessReview-ready workbook focused on required fields, restricted picklists, record types, validation rules, Apex triggers, and Flow metadata for selected objects
Automation InventoryWhat automation exists across the org?Automation documentation, inherited-org review, process cleanup, and broad automation reviewReview-ready workbook of available automation metadata across Flows, Apex, triggers, validation rules, approval processes, and legacy automation where available

Use Automation Impact Awareness when the question is "What may affect records on these selected objects?"

Use Automation Inventory when the question is "What automation exists across the org?"

12

WHERE KEELCADENCE FITS.

KeelCadence is built for the first-pass diagnostic stage. It does not make changes in Salesforce. Automation Impact Awareness produces a review-ready XLSX workbook that helps admins review selected-object readiness before imports, migrations, UAT, bulk updates, or record operations begin.

  • No package install
  • No Connected App setup
  • Read-only diagnostics
  • No Salesforce writes
  • No individual Salesforce record values exported
  • No persistent Salesforce access token stored
  • Free on-screen summary before purchase
  • Paid downloadable XLSX workbook
  • 90-day report retention
  • Email-first product support

Relevant Workbook

$149

Automation Impact Awareness

Selected-object readiness signals for imports, UAT, migrations, bulk updates, and record operations.

Relevant Workbook

$149

Automation Inventory

Available automation metadata across Flows, Apex, triggers, validation rules, approval processes, and legacy automation where available.

Relevant Workbook

$99

Field & Object Audit

Field utilization, layout coverage, hidden populated fields, and cleanup review candidates.

Common Questions

IMPORT READINESS FAQ.

What is Salesforce import readiness?

Salesforce import readiness is the process of reviewing selected-object metadata and configuration before records are loaded, migrated, tested, or created. It helps admins identify required fields, restricted picklists, record types, validation rules, Apex triggers, and Flow metadata that may affect record operations.

What should admins review before importing Salesforce records?

Admins should review required fields, required lookups, restricted picklists, record types, active validation rules, Apex triggers, Flow metadata where available, and source-data mapping before importing Salesforce records.

Why do Salesforce imports fail even when the CSV looks correct?

A CSV can look correct while Salesforce configuration still blocks record operations. Required fields, invalid lookup values, restricted picklists, record types, validation rules, triggers, and Flow metadata may affect inserts or updates depending on the selected object and data involved.

Is import readiness the same as data quality review?

No. Data quality review focuses on the condition of the source data. Import readiness focuses on Salesforce metadata and configuration that may affect record operations. Both are useful before importing records.

Can KeelCadence tell me whether an import will succeed?

No. KeelCadence does not simulate record saves or guarantee import success. Automation Impact Awareness surfaces selected-object metadata that may affect imports, UAT, migrations, and record operations so admins can review likely blockers before loading records.

How is Automation Impact Awareness different from Automation Inventory?

Automation Impact Awareness focuses on selected-object readiness before imports, migrations, UAT, and record operations. Automation Inventory catalogs available automation metadata across the org for broader automation documentation and review.

Does KeelCadence export Salesforce record values?

No. KeelCadence diagnostics do not export individual Salesforce record values. The tools focus on metadata and configuration signals used for review-ready diagnostic workbooks.

Which KeelCadence diagnostic should I use before importing records?

Use Automation Impact Awareness when you need selected-object readiness signals before importing, migrating, testing, or updating records. Pair it with Field & Object Audit when the project also involves field cleanup or schema review.

Start Here

Start with import readiness before loading records.

Start with the read-only Impact Awareness to review required fields, required lookups, record types, restricted picklists, and validation rules before imports, then layer in the Field & Object Audit and Automation Inventory. See the free on-screen summary before purchase.

Opens impact.keelcadence.com. Best run from desktop, since the diagnostic uses your active Salesforce browser session. On mobile, view the sample workbook or save this page for later.

Read-only · No package install · No Connected App setup · No Salesforce writes

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