# Import and export tools and Salesforce Connect

*Platform App Builder Study Guide · Data Modeling and Management · Last updated October 25, 2026 · https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-app-builder/data-modeling-and-management/import-and-export-tools-and-salesforce-connect*

When to use the Data Import Wizard, Data Loader or the Data Export service, how to prepare imports and updates, what each export includes and leaves out, and how Salesforce Connect adapters and external objects show outside data in real time with their own limits.

- Certification: Salesforce Platform App Builder
- Exam section: Data Modeling and Management
- Study guide: https://www.certifyforce.com/study-guide/platform-app-builder

**Official exam objective:**

> Given a scenario, determine the options and considerations when importing and exporting data, including the capabilities of external data sources.

## What the exam expects

- Choose between Basic Data Import, the Data Import Wizard and Data Loader from volume, object, interface and automation needs.
- Prepare an import or update file: CSV, matching identifiers, test runs and wizard limits.
- Choose between the Data Export service and Data Loader Export or Export All, and know what each leaves out.
- Choose a Salesforce Connect adapter and predict what external objects can and can't do.

Key terms:
- **Data Import Wizard:** in-browser import of up to 50,000 records for supported objects.
- **Data Loader:** client application to insert, update, delete or export records in bulk.
- **Data Export service:** scheduled or manual backup of org data as zipped CSV files.
- **External object:** an object that maps to a table in an external data source and reads it in real time.
- **Adapter:** the protocol Salesforce Connect uses for an external data source, set in its Type field.

## Key facts

| Fact | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Data Import Wizard volume | Up to 50,000 records at a time; CSV only | [Data Import Wizard](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.data_import_wizard.htm&type=5) |
| Data Loader | Up to 5 million records; all objects; command line is Windows only | [Data Loader](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.data_loader_about.htm) |
| Update files | Need a record ID or external ID per row | [Mass Update Records](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000382519&language=en_US&type=1) |
| Wizard custom object matching | Match by Name is case-sensitive | [Import with the Wizard](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.import_with_data_import_wizard.htm&type=5) |
| Weekly export editions | Enterprise, Performance, Unlimited; monthly in all but Database.com | [Export Backup Data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.admin_exportdata.htm&type=5) |
| Export exclusions | Formula and roll-up summary fields always excluded | [Export Backup Data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.admin_exportdata.htm&type=5) |
| Export files | Deleted 48 hours after the email | [Export Backup Data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.admin_exportdata.htm&type=5) |
| Export All | Adds soft-deleted and archived activity records | [Data Loader Export](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.dataLoader.meta/dataLoader/exporting_data.htm) |
| Cross-org adapter | Lightning Platform REST API to other Salesforce orgs | [Connect Adapters](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.platform_connect_adapters.htm&type=5) |
| External object records | Read only unless writable external objects are enabled | [Salesforce Connect](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.platform_connect_about.htm&type=5) |
| External object IDs | Can change; use the External ID | [External Objects](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.platform_connect_considerations_compatibility.htm&type=5) |

## Check yourself

- Why would an import that matches custom records by Name create duplicates?
- When is Data Loader's command-line interface the right choice?
- Which two field types are always missing from the weekly export?
- Why shouldn't an integration store an external object's Salesforce record ID?

## Sources

- [Choosing a Method for Importing Data](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.import_which_data_import_tool.htm&type=5)
- [Data Import Wizard](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.data_import_wizard.htm&type=5)
- [Import Data with the Data Import Wizard](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.import_with_data_import_wizard.htm&type=5)
- [Import Limits](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.import_limits.htm&language=en_US&type=5)
- [Data Loader](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.data_loader_about.htm)
- [Mass update records in Salesforce](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=000382519&language=en_US&type=1)
- [Export Backup Data from Salesforce](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=xcloud.admin_exportdata.htm&type=5)
- [Export Data from Salesforce (Data Loader Guide)](https://developer.salesforce.com/docs/atlas.en-us.dataLoader.meta/dataLoader/exporting_data.htm)
- [Salesforce Connect](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.platform_connect_about.htm&type=5)
- [Choose Which Salesforce Connect Adapter to Use](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=platform.platform_connect_adapters.htm&type=5)
- [External Objects in Salesforce Connect](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?language=en_US&id=platform.platform_connect_considerations_compatibility.htm&type=5)

## About the full unit

The "Core concepts", "Exam traps" and "Worked scenario" sections of this unit, its 15 linked practice questions, and unlimited timed mock exams are included with the Platform App Builder pack (USD $19): https://www.certifyforce.com/practice-exams