---
title: "Item import"
slug: "bc-item-import"
description: "Learn how to import external item data into Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central using XML files, mapping, and record generation for seamless integration."
tags: ["BC", "BIS", "Business Central", "Business Integration Solutions", "Walkthrough"]
updated: 2026-06-25T09:59:07Z
published: 2026-06-25T09:59:07Z
canonical: "docs.staedean.com/bc-item-import"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.staedean.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Item import

This walkthrough provides an overview of how to import external data into Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. In the following example, you import item data from an external system into Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

## Prerequisites

| Template | Description | Sample file |
| --- | --- | --- |
| TI_CS_ITEM.IN | STAEDEAN Template: Import Items | ItemDemo.xml |

## Story

This connection uses the **File Reader** endpoint to read the items in XML format from the file system. The XML file to import does not match the D365 BC table structures, so a **Mapper** activity maps the external (source) document to the internal (target) document. The **Splitter** activity creates one message for each item. The **Record Generator** activity creates records and updates the D365 BC Item table.

![Item In Pipeline](https://cdn.document360.io/da662430-6a41-47b1-8c7e-7e4ac37a9756/Images/Documentation/DM_ItemIn_Pipeline.png)

## Setup

1. Import the Connectivity Studio Connection-TI_CS_ITEM.IN.zip configuration package. ![Item In](https://cdn.document360.io/da662430-6a41-47b1-8c7e-7e4ac37a9756/Images/Documentation/DM_ItemIn_Import.png)
2. Open the TI_CS_ITEM.IN connection. On the connection page, edit the **File Reader** settings and enter the folder name. You can also choose to leave the files on the file system. ![Item In Settings](https://cdn.document360.io/da662430-6a41-47b1-8c7e-7e4ac37a9756/Images/Documentation/DM_ItemIn_Settings.png)
3. Copy the sample file `ItemDemo.xml` (from the software package) to a shared file location.

## Process

1. Process the connection.
2. Check the result in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
3. Two items (Chalkboard Xtra Large and Highlighter Pink) are created.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**
> 
> Data in related tables is also generated. In this scenario: a new Base Unit of Measure PCS2 is created, and a new Gen. Prod. Posting Group BLOCK is created.

## Result

![Item In Result](https://cdn.document360.io/da662430-6a41-47b1-8c7e-7e4ac37a9756/Images/Documentation/DM_ItemIn_Result.png)

This imports items from an external system and populates related data in Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

## Related

- [Item export](/bc-item-export.md)