ExtendInsights Salesforce helps teams create Lead records in bulk without manually entering each record in Salesforce.
You can prepare lead information in Excel, validate Salesforce picklist values, and upload the records directly to Salesforce.
š„ Watch the Video
Watch the video below or follow the written steps in this article.
Interface update: Existing videos may show an earlier version of ExtendInsights. In the current interface, Proceed is now Insert Template, and uploads are available under Actions.
ā Before You Begin
Confirm that:
You are connected to the correct Salesforce production or sandbox environment.
Your Salesforce user can create Lead records.
You know which Lead fields are required by your Salesforce configuration.
Your source data has been reviewed for missing or duplicate information.
Your active worksheet is blank before inserting the template.
Step 1: Plan the Lead Template
Select Lead as the Salesforce object.
Your template may include:
Company
First Name
Last Name
Lead Source
Email
Phone
Status
In a standard Salesforce configuration, Company and Last Name are required when creating a Lead. Your organization may require additional standard or custom fields.
š” Tip: Review the Salesforce Lead page layout, validation rules, required fields, and available picklist values before building your template.
Step 2: Create or Load the Template
To create a new Lead template:
Open ExtendInsights and select Salesforce.
Select Create a New Template.
Select the appropriate Salesforce connection.
Select Lead as the object.
Add the fields required for your lead-creation process.
Select Apply.
Review the selected fields.
Select Insert Template.
You can also load an existing Lead template from the Template Repository.
ā ļø Important: Inserting a template replaces the existing contents of the active worksheet. Always begin with a blank worksheet.
Step 3: Populate the Lead Data
You can enter lead information in several ways:
Enter values manually: Type directly into the Excel table.
Copy and paste: Copy prepared data from another worksheet or source file.
Use Excel formulas: Reference or transform data from another worksheet.
Use Cell Operations: Search for and select supported Salesforce picklist values.
When copying data from another source, confirm that each column matches the corresponding Salesforce field and data type.
ā ļø Leave the Salesforce record ID blank. ExtendInsights creates a new record when the record ID is blank. If an existing record ID is populated, ExtendInsights updates that record instead.
Step 4: Enter Status and Lead Source Values
Status and Lead Source are Salesforce picklist fields.
Use one of the following methods to enter a valid value.
Option 1: Use the Picklist Panel
Select a cell under Status or Lead Source.
Open the Cell Operations picklist.
Search for the required value.
Select the value to insert it into the cell.
This is the recommended method when you are unsure which values are available.
Option 2: Type the Value
Enter all or part of the Salesforce picklist value.
Press Tab or Enter.
Allow ExtendInsights to resolve the value.
For example, enter Web under Lead Source if Web is a valid value in your Salesforce organization.
If an exact match is found, ExtendInsights resolves it automatically.
If multiple matches are found, select the correct value from the picklist.
If no match is found, enter a valid value before uploading.
You do not need to enter an ID in double brackets for Salesforce picklist values.
Step 5: Review the Lead Data
Before uploading, confirm that:
Company and Last Name contain values.
All fields required by your Salesforce organization are included.
Status and Lead Source contain valid picklist values.
Email addresses and phone numbers use the expected formats.
The Salesforce record ID column is blank.
Duplicate or incomplete rows have been removed.
The correct Salesforce connection is active.
š” Tip: Start with a small number of Lead records when testing a new template.
Step 6: Upload the Leads
To create selected Lead records:
Select the rows you want to create.
Expand Actions.
Select Upload Rows.
Wait for the upload to finish.
Use Upload All only when every populated row in the template is ready. Hidden or filtered-out rows are still processed by Upload All.
Step 7: Validate the Results
After the upload finishes:
Successful rows display a green status indicator.
Newly created Leads receive Salesforce record IDs.
Failed rows display an error message in Column A.
If a row fails:
Review the error message.
Correct the affected value.
Select the corrected row.
Select Upload Rows again.
Verify the Lead directly in Salesforce.
š” Best Practices
Start with a small test upload.
Confirm required fields before uploading.
Use the picklist panel for Status and Lead Source.
Leave the Salesforce record ID blank when creating Leads.
Review your source data for duplicates.
Validate email addresses and phone numbers.
Use Upload Rows to process only selected records.
Verify the results directly in Salesforce.
Save the Lead template for recurring imports.
Related Resources
š¬ Need Help?
If you need assistance:
Use the in-app messenger inside ExtendInsights.
Start a chat from the bottom-right corner of the support site.
Include the Salesforce object, template name, active connection, affected rows, and any error messages or screenshots.