Using the Command Line Interface

For automated batch operations such as nightly scheduled loads and extractions, run Data Loader from the command line. Before running any batch operation, be sure to include your encrypted password in the configuration file. For more information, see Command Line Overview and Encrypting From the Command Line. From the command line, navigate to the bin directory and type process.bat, which takes the following parameters:

• The directory containing config.properties.
• The name of the batch process bean contained in process-conf.xml.

For more information about using process.bat, see Running Individual Batch Processes.

To view tips and instructions, add -help to the command contained in process.bat.

Data Loader runs whatever operation, file, or map is specified in the configuration file that you specify. If you do not specify a configuration directory, the current directory is used. By default, Data Loader configuration files are installed at the following location:

C:\Program Files\Salesforce\Data Loader version number\conf

You use the process-conf.xml file to configure batch processing. Set the name of the process in the bean element's id attribute: (for example <bean id="myProcessName">).

If you want to implement enhanced logging, use a copy of log-conf.xml.

You can change parameters at runtime by giving param=value as program arguments. For example, adding process.operation=insert to the command changes the configuration at runtime.

You can set the minimum and maximum heap size. For example, -Xms256m -Xmx256m sets the heap size to 256 MB.