Merge functionality in Dynamics CRM 2011

Megha Kainth, 24 January 2012

Dynamics CRM 2011 provides the functionality to merge records. This is useful when we have duplicate records that have different information recorded.  By using this feature of Dynamics CRM we don’t need to worry about losing important data as we can simply merge two records together.

Merge feature in Dynamics CRM is available for Leads, Account and Contact entities. You will notice that the Merge button is not enabled in the ribbon by default, it only gets activated when you select a record, you can select only two records at a time which you would like to merge and then click on Merge button. A window will be opened which displays the details of Merged Records.  You can select the master record and then specify the fields to merge into the master record; it will reflect the details of only specified field items. Please note that through this Merge feature only selected system entities can be merged.

If the second record you are merging with is not available on the same page, you can select one record and click on Merge, then look up to the other record.

If you want to keep all the fields in a particular section, you can simply click on the radio button of Select all fields in this section. Click OK once you have selected all applicable records, it will inherit all of the subordinate child record into the master record and the subordinate record will be deactivated with a link back to the merged record.