Rules for Automatically Merging Records During Import

During a lead import, you can automatically merge duplicate records found, using the selected match filters. A duplicate lead may be merged with an existing contact or lead. The records are merged according to the following rules:

  • If the Conflicts is set to Existing Record Wins:
    • The records are merged and none of the imported lead information is used. This applies to account fields as well.
    • If the imported record has data in a field, and the existing record does not, the field in the existing record remains empty.
  • If the Conflicts option is set to Imported Record Wins:
    • The imported lead information replaces the target (lead, contact or account) record information.
    • If a field in the imported lead record is empty, but the field in the existing record contains information, then the existing record information is saved. This applies to account fields as well.
    • When merging to another lead, the address information for the imported lead replaces the existing lead's address information. A note containing the existing record's address is created and added to the notes history for that lead.
    • The address record for the lead being imported cannot replace an address for a contact or account. A new address is created using the imported lead's address information. The new address is not the primary address for the account or contact and the primary and mailing addresses for the account and contact remains unchanged.