Running Data Loader from the Command Line

posted Jan 11, 2011, 7:56 AM by Ezra Kenigsberg   [ updated Mar 26, 2011, 3:09 PM ]

#DataTipOfTheDay 2011-01-11

Q: "How do I run Data Loader from the Command Line?"

A: First, to folks who don't see WHY I'd run Data Loader from the Command Line, I'll say two words: it's automated.  An automated Data Loader routine (or "script") makes it easy to
  • load new data on a scheduled basis;
  • extract all my critical data on a regular basis; or
  • load a set of sample data with one double-click, prior to conducting a demo or training.
Okay, sounds good.  How do I do it?

To understand the process and build one from scratch, I recommend this PDF from developer.force.com.

But there are also utilities out there that can build the scripts for you:
  1. This is an old DOS script that does an okay job of generating Data Loader scripts.
  2. Vijay Swamidass's CLIq is an installable application that generates Data Loader scripts--it also works on Unix boxes.
  3. My Synchronizer generates Data Loader scripts for every SyncStep run. In the "Run Behavior" dropdown,
    • use the "Run SyncSteps" setting to create scripts and then run those scripts;
    • use the "Generate Working Files Only" to create scripts, then stop.
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