Update: List Bulk Import is now available from the Bamboo Solutions storefront.

List Bulk Import allows users to migrate documents, pictures, and list data into SharePoint from: legacy databases; spreadsheets; SharePoint to SharePoint Server; Office 365; Claims-based and Forms-based Authentication environments; and/or any SharePoint document management application with large volumes of data and/or documents that need to be widely accessed. In addition, List Bulk Import allows users to schedule imports with the template file which is created while importing, taking advantage of one of the best features in BI.

In this post, we’ll take a look at how to create scheduled imports from List Bulk Import.

Challenge:

Oftentimes the source you import is not just a one-time import but a living document that updates on a routine basis. To assist in keeping SharePoint up-to-date, List Bulk Import provides the ability to automatically import a source to the specified target in the background without requiring user intervention.

Solution:

There are two steps in setting up an automatic, unattended import:

1. Create a template file that defines the source and the target.
2. Create a Windows Scheduled Task.

Create a template file

• First, I will demonstrate how to create a template file importing from an Excel file to SharePoint site:

 

Step 1: Open the Bulk Import and connect to the Target SharePoint site  following these steps:

• Enter Target Site URL.
• Select SharePoint version.
• Enter account name and password.

 

Step 2: Select Create Import Job from the drop-menu, or the Create Import Job hyperlink on the screen:

Step 3: Select the Excel or delimited text file (txt, csv or xls/xlsx) radio button:

Step 4: Select an Excel file from which you need to import data:

Step 5: Select a target list in your SharePoint site:

Step 6: Map the columns between Source columns and Target columns:

Step 7: Click Edit Mapping if you want to map the values for them:

You can map or “un-map” values for the Source Column and Target Column easily:

Step 8: Check for record duplicates if you like:

Step 9: Important! Provide a File Name for the template file and click the Save button to save this import configuration as a template file; we have two options available:

• Save to Application Path (Default; the template file is saved in C:Program FilesBamboo Solutions CorporationBamboo Bulk Import Application (x64))
• Save to Custom Path (You can browse to any location in your computer)

 

Step 10: You can test your import clicking the Import button.  This will run a manual import based on the previous steps:

Step 11: After the import has completed, click the View Log button to see the results of the import:

After verifying that everything is OK, go to the SharePoint target list to see the result:

Create a Windows Scheduled Task

With Release 2.5, List Bulk Import now provides a more streamlined process of creating a new Windows Scheduled Task.

Step 1: Go to the Import Scheduler menu → Schedule a New Import

Step 2: Complete the form to create a new unattended import:

• Select the search button next to the Import Template field to select the Template file we created in the previous section.
• Enter Task Name. This will be used for the name of the Windows Scheduled Task when you need to modify or delete the task.
• Enter Description. This is also used for the description of the Windows Scheduled Task.
• Select the frequency and timing of when the task should run.

Select Apply and List Bulk Import will create the new Windows Scheduled Task:

If you want modify or delete the scheduled task, go to the Import Scheduler menu → Modify Scheduled Import:

 

You will see the following information window:

Selecting OK, the Windows Task Scheduler will automatically open:

Select the node Task Scheduler Library and locate the scheduled task that you want to modify, then double-click on the name:

 

It is recommended that you only modify the Triggers tab, as the other tabs have been optimized for List Bulk Import to function.

To review the results of automated imports, open List Bulk Import, select File → View Log Files.

Select the Search icon and the Log folder will be opened.  Locate the log file of interest and open it. This will display the Success and Failure information of the import session:

Looking for a walk through from start to finish? See this post: How to Import an Excel File with List Bulk Import 2.5.

If you’re ready to give release 2.5 of List Bulk Import a try, it’s available in Bamboo Labs as a free download today! With this Beta version, there is a 15-item limit, and the trial is good for 30 days. If you like what you see, you can purchase a license key from the storefront to fully activate the product and circumvent the 15-item limit. Please note that this Labs version of the product is still in Beta and we ask for your patience if you experience any issues. To report any problems you may encounter, please go to the List Bulk Import 2.5 forum and post your feedback there.

Happy importing!

Read the entire series celebrating the release to Bamboo Labs of List Bulk Import 2.5:

• Introduction to List Bulk Import 2.5: New in Bamboo Labs!
• How to Update Read-only Fields in SharePoint Lists with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Import Data to SharePoint Online (Office 365) with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Import Data Using Forms-based Authentication (FBA) with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Import an Excel File to a SharePoint List with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Replicate Data from a Network File Directory in a SharePoint Document Library with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Create Scheduled Imports with List Bulk Import 2.5
• How to Import Data from SQL Server to SharePoint with List Bulk Import 2.5

 

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