You can import all data from a .navdata file, or you can choose the data that you want to import. For example, if the file contains four companies, you can choose to import only one company. Similarly, if the file contains all data, you can choose to import only global data, for example.

To import applications, you must use the Import-NAVData Windows PowerShell cmdlet. You can import other data, such as companies, in the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Windows client and the Microsoft Dynamics NAV Web client. You can export and import the four types of data in different combinations. However, you must maintain database integrity and not leave databases in a state when you cannot open Microsoft Dynamics NAV.

Important: If you import application data but not the application, you cannot access the database from Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Similarly, if you import global data into a database that does not contain a company, you cannot open Microsoft Dynamics NAV. Also, we recommend that you do not import an application into a database that users are accessing. A new application often defines a new database schema that changes the structure of the business data.

Warning: When you export data to a .navdata file, you must import the data into a database that is compatible with the data in the .navdata file. For example, you cannot import a company into a database that has a different database schema, and you cannot import Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 data into a Microsoft Dynamics NAV 2013 R2 database. Also, you must import a company into a database that contains the data and application that the company's data depends on.

Important: To export or import data from a Microsoft Dynamics NAV database, you must be a user in the Microsoft Dynamics NAV database, and your user account must have a permission set that enables you to export or import data, such as the SUPER permission set. We recommend that you define a specific permission set such as DATA-EXPORTIMPORT and add System permissions 5410, Export Data to Data File, and 5420, Import Data from Data File. Optionally, add other permissions, and then assign the permission sets to the users that you want to be able to export and import data.

To import data

  1. Enter data file in the Search box.

  2. Select Import From a Data File. The Export Data window opens.

  3. Select the .navdata file that you want to import.

  4. Select the data you want to import. The available options are based on what was originally exported.

    • All Companies: Select this check box if you want to import the data for all of the listed companies. This includes the company-specific business data but no other data. When this check box is selected, all of the companies are selected. If you clear the check box of a company, this check box is automatically cleared.

    • Global Data: Select this check box to import data this is common to all companies in the database. This includes the report list, user IDs and printer selections, but no company-specific business data.

    • Application Data: Select this check box to import data that defines the application in the database. This includes permissions, permission sets, profiles and style sheets. Warning: If you choose to import application data but the database does not contain the corresponding application, the database cannot be accessed from NAV.

  5. If the All Companies check box was not selected, select the check box(es) of the companies that you want to import.

  6. Click OK. The data that you specified is now imported into your current database.

See Also

Information for this procedure is from the following source:
Tip