# Import modes: merge, update, replace and delete

*B2C Commerce Developer Study Guide · B2C Commerce Setup · Last updated November 3, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/b2c-commerce-developer/b2c-commerce-setup/import-modes-merge-update-replace-and-delete*

Which Business Manager module moves which data, what merge, update, replace and delete do to objects and attributes, how an element-level delete overrides the global mode, the price book and catalog exceptions, and the order for loading SFRA demo data.

- Certification: Salesforce B2C Commerce Developer
- Exam section: B2C Commerce Setup
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/b2c-commerce-developer

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a sandbox instance and data import files, import files using the Business Manager Import/Export modules.

## What the exam expects

- Choose between Site Import & Export and the object-level Import & Export modules for a data-movement requirement.
- Predict what merge, update, replace and delete do to new objects, existing objects, attributes left out of the file and objects not in the file.
- Use an element-level `mode="delete"` to create, update and delete in one import, and know that delete needs only object IDs.
- Apply the object-specific rules: price book currency changes, whole-book replace and delete, and the offline status of new products.
- Load SFRA demo data and custom site data in the documented order.

Key terms: **import mode** (how an import interprets every object in a feed); **element-level mode** (a `mode` attribute on one element, delete only); **schema** (the `.xsd` file an import file must match); **delta feed** (only the changes since the previous feed); **Site Import & Export** (snapshot of configuration and data for a whole instance or site).

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Merge | Creates missing objects, updates existing ones | [Import Modes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=cc.b2c_import_modes.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Update | Never creates objects; untouched attributes stay | [Import Modes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=cc.b2c_import_modes.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Replace | Delete followed by merge; omitted attributes removed | [Import Modes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=cc.b2c_import_modes.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Delete file content | Object IDs only; other attributes ignored | [Import Modes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=cc.b2c_import_modes.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Element-level mode | Delete is the only supported value; overrides the global mode | [Import Modes](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=cc.b2c_import_modes.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| Price book currency | Changeable in replace only, not merge or update | [Price Book Import/Export](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=cc.b2c_pricebook_object_import_export.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| New products without a status | Set offline in merge and replace | [Explore Import Modes](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/b2c-import-export/b2c-explore-import-modes) |
| Automating imports | A scheduled job with B2C Commerce job steps | [B2C Commerce Architecture](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/commerce/b2c-commerce/guide/get-started.html), [Site Performance](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/commerce/b2c-commerce/guide/b2c-site-performance.html) |
| Site Import & Export and code | Cartridges aren't included | [Site Import/Export](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=cc.b2c_site_import_export.htm&type=5&language=en_US) |
| SFRA data | Import first, never into a PIG instance | [Configure SFRA](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/commerce/b2c-commerce/guide/b2c-configuring-sfra.html) |
| Transaction limit | 1,000 business objects per standard import process | [Master Import and Export](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/b2c-import-export/b2c-configure-import-export) |

## Check yourself

- When a list-type element is absent under MERGE, what happens to the stored list?
- Why can't elements that always use replace mode go in a delta feed?
- Which price-table mode attribute removes every price entry for a SKU, scheduled ones included?
- Why archive the previous XML file before every import?

## Sources

- [Import Modes in B2C Commerce](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=cc.b2c_import_modes.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Explore Import Modes for Effective Data Management](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/b2c-import-export/b2c-explore-import-modes)
- [Master Import and Export Processes for Commerce B2C](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/b2c-import-export/b2c-configure-import-export)
- [Import Export Data Basics](https://trailhead.salesforce.com/content/learn/modules/architecture-of-commerce-cloud-digital/cc-digital-import-export)
- [Price Book Object Import/Export in B2C Commerce](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=cc.b2c_pricebook_object_import_export.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Site Import/Export in B2C Commerce](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=cc.b2c_site_import_export.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Import/Export Methods in B2C Commerce](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=cc.b2c_import_export_methods.htm&type=5&language=en_US)
- [Configure SFRA](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/commerce/b2c-commerce/guide/b2c-configuring-sfra.html)
- [B2C Commerce Architecture](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/commerce/b2c-commerce/guide/get-started.html)
- [Site Performance](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/commerce/b2c-commerce/guide/b2c-site-performance.html)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 7 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the B2C Commerce Developer pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams