Data Import/Export

Data Import/Export framework

Microsoft Dynamics AX Import:

Dynamics AX Import:

The primary mechanism for transferring Data between the different instances of Dynamics AX is the standard Import method. The utility is available in System Administration--Common--Data Export/Import--Import.

In order to use the functionality of this feature, Definition groups have to be created which include the tables involved in importing of Data. This utility cannot be used for migrating data from one ERP system to another or to import data into the older versions of Dynamics AX 2012.

Following are the steps to use an existing legal entity as a template for other legal entities.
 1. Create a legal entity to use as a template. 
2. Set all configuration data for the source legal entity. 
3. Create a definition group which can be used to export data.
a) To create a definition group, open your AX client.
 Go to System Administration module--Common--Data export/import--Definition groups.
Click on New button or Ctrl + N. On General tab of Create table definition group form, provide your Definition group and Description.


b) On Options tab of above form check Include shared tables check box as shown below.

You should not check Include system tables check box, Include database log tables, Include cross-reference tables. For example if you include system tables it may stop you to access AX client.

c) This part is important: To export configuration data, include the following table groups: Reference, Parameter, Group, Framework, and Miscellaneous as shown below.


d) To export master data, you must include the tables that are in the Main table group.

e) Do not include the tables that are in the Transaction, Transaction header, Transaction line, Worksheet, Worksheet header, and Worksheet line table groups. These tables include transaction data. It can be difficult to create a duplicate environment for transaction data if the SaveDataPerCompany property of tables is set to No. For transaction date Microsoft SQL Server backup and restore mechanism is one of best option but a minor configuration changes can be made to illustrate specific Microsoft Dynamics AX features.

f) Now click on OK button to create definition group.

4. Now you are ready with Definition group to export data for a legal entity (Company). 

Select Table button is used to select the particular table to Export the data between the companies in AX. Here i have choosed the two table to import the data to CEC from CEU company.

Go to System Administration module--Common--Data export/import--Export to. Select your Definition group from drop down and provide the file Name (and location). Remaining things are up to your choice.  

Click on OK button. This will create a .dat file with your given name using the Microsoft Dynamics AX data export .


Data Import 

In the new environment, create new legal entities, and then import the .dat file that you created into each entity individually (in step 4). Go to System Administration module--Common--Data export/import--Import. 

Select your Definition groups from the drop down and provide file Name (and location). Remember if you have different environment create a same definition group in your new environment where you are support to import data for a legal entity. OnAdvance tab there are different options but you may go for Include shared tables.

After filled the all details click ok button. Finally it used to display info like how many records are imported totally in the company

Microsoft Excel Add-in for Microsoft Dynamics AX:

Steps: 

Installing Dynamics Ax Excel ADD IN

Another powerful option to import Data in Dynamics AX is the Excel Add-in. Data has to be organized in a specific pattern and some basic requirements are need to be met in order to import data successfully. Only the Excel documents which meet the below mentioned requirements can be used to create or update Data in AX tables.

• Replacement Keys: Parent Data source must have unique indexes other than RecId.
• Related Replacement Keys: Each RecId-based foreign key must be related to a table that specifies a replacement key
• Relationship Direction: Relationships pointing towards parent from child element should be used only
• Query and Service Consistency: Query and service must be synchronized in order to ensure consistency
• View Support: Services using views must be properly implemented using the specified methods only

http://www.slideshare.net/murrayfife/using-the-dynamics-ax-2012-excel-addin-to-import-and-publish-data

RapidStart Services:

RapidStart services are used to populate basic configuration data along with some master data. The services cannot be used to import transactional data. These services can, however, be used to manage data.

AIF:

AIF has the ability to exchange external data in the form of XML with Microsoft Dynamics AX. To call an AIF service, System administration > Setup >Services and Application Integration Framework > Inbound ports, and then click New. Enter a Port name and description. Select service operations under Service Operations. Click on Activate and use the system generated WSDL URI to import Data externally.

Microsoft Import Export Framework:

We have recently released the new version for Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 Data Import/Export Framework as part of Microsoft Dynamics AX 2012 R2 CU7. We received lot of requests to get the new version for AX 2012 R2 (Base R2 and/or CU1, CU6, hotfixes) without taking full CU7. To make this happen, we have released an application hotfix for DIXF which can be installed on AX 2012 R2 (Base R2 and/or CU1, CU6, hotfixes).  The hotfix does not contain the binary files for the Data Import/Export Framework. You must install the binary files for the Data Import/Export Framework by using the CU7 update installer.

The Microsoft Import Export Framework is a very powerful tool for importing and exporting Data. It has predefined entities which map the data to the desired fields and validates the data. The data is at first migrated to a staging environment where it can be validated once again. After that, it is finally transferred to the AX tables and new records are created or existing records are updated. There are 5 main steps to import Data using the Framework:

1. Prepare Data Source
2. Select an AX entity
3. Map and Validate Data
4. Transfer to Staging Tables
5. Transfer from Staging Tables to final AX destinations.

The framework also allows creating customized entities. I will be writing in detail much more about data migration scenarios in Dynamics AX 2012 so visit us frequently if this is something of your interest!