Importing data into existing custom events

[miavelasco]

My org has a lot of data to backfill into Custom Events. However, based on this article it seems that the only way to import data to custom events is by creating a new event. Is this correct? Is there any way to import data into an existing custom event?

[Hawk-Steve]

Hey @miavelasco , quick one on this.

I had the same issue where I had created a custom event via API, but wanted to seed historic events in via spreadsheet - Running into the same issue I think you have here.

I only tested this with the API route and can't comment on this workaround working for other methods, but I found that creating the custom event via import first is the way to go, as I was still able to create custom events via API AND make use of the csv importing functionality available.

Method:

1. Create custom event (Import spreadsheet method)
   
   1. Import your initial seed data, or anything you want - You need to import something as part of the creation process at the moment
   2. Make sure you create all the properties you need via the import - You cannot add more at a later date through the editor
      1. (You'll have to do it via another import, which is likely to cause it's own mess in duplicating event completions and basically requiring you to reset... I'm desperate for that ability to delete individual / bulk custom events! 🙏)
2. Set up your API to send custom event completions as normal, using the event's internal name and properties which will still be available
3. Import secondary custom events via the importer

[BérangèreL]

Hi @miavelasco,

Thank you for asking the Community!

I checked for you and I can see on the article you mentioned "Import event data" that columns in your spreadsheet can be mapped to either contact properties or event properties. Click the Import as dropdown menu to select how to import the data in the file. Then, select the HubSpot property to map it to. You can map it to an existing property or create a new property.

I also wanted to invite a couple of subject matter experts to this conversation: Hi @GeorgeBThomas, @Crystal_Hopper and @Josh do you have suggestions to help @miavelasco, please?

If anybody else has anything to add and/or share, please feel free to join in the conversation 🙂

Thanks a lot and have a wonderful day!

Best,
Bérangère

[miavelasco]

Hi @BérangèreL ,

This doesn't quite answer my question. I'm wondering if it's possible to import data into an existing custom event. The article only provides instructions for creating a new custom event during an import. There doesn't seem to be a way to backfill data into an existing custom event once it has been created.

If you or anyone else have more to add here, I'd appreciate it. 

[BérangèreL · Accepted solution]

Hi @miavelasco,

Thank you for your patience.

I checked for you and for existing events, it seems that at the moment it is not possible.

For new feature suggestions, I'd recommend first to search and check if this idea is already present on our Ideas Forum here. If you find a similar idea, give it an upvote and share your unique use case in the comments.

If the idea doesn't exist already, please consider posting and creating a new Idea on our Ideas Forum here.

Thank you for being part of the discussion!

Have a lovely day!

Best,
Bérangère