Introduction:
The Salesforce DataLoader is a tool provided by Salesforce.com to help bulk load data into the Salesforce.com CRM application. The tool can be used to insert, update, delete, or export Salesforce.com data. The DataLoader uses an internal Java heap to process records, and if the heap becomes full, the DataLoader will throw a Heap Space Exception.
If you are getting Heap Space Exceptions when using the DataLoader, there are 15 things that you can try in order to resolve the issue:
1) Increase the Java heap size for the DataLoader.
The default heap size is 512 MB, but you can increase it to 1024 MB or even 2048 MB. To do this, go to the installation directory for the DataLoader and open the data loader. properties file. Look for the line that says “data loader.heapsize=512” and change it to “data loader.heapsize=1024” or “data loader.heapsize=2048”.
2) Use the -install start switch when installing the DataLoader.
This will prevent the DataLoader from starting up automatically when you install it, which can help reduce memory usage.
3) Use a 64-bit version of Java instead of a 32-bit version.
The DataLoader is a 32-bit application, but it will run on a 64-bit version of Java without any problems. Using a 64-bit version of Java can help increase the amount of memory available to the DataLoader.
4) Use a different version of Java.
If you are using an older version of Java, try upgrading to a newer one. This can help increase the amount of memory available to the DataLoader.
5) Change the way that the DataLoader processes records.
Instead of processing all records in one batch, try processing them in smaller batches. This can help reduce the amount of memory used by the DataLoader.
6) Delete unnecessary fields from your data files.
The more fields that you have in your data files, the more memory will be used by the DataLoader. If you don’t need a particular field, delete it from the data file.
7) Use a filter to limit the number of records that are processed.
The DataLoader has a built-in filter feature that can be used to limit the number of records that are processed. This can help reduce the amount of memory used by the DataLoader.
8) Use a different Salesforce user when running the DataLoader.
If you are using a user with a lot of data in their Salesforce account, try using a different user. This can help reduce the amount of data that is loaded into memory and thus help reduce memory usage.
9) Use the -B switch when running the DataLoader.
This switch will cause the DataLoader to run in batch mode, which can help reduce memory usage.
10) Use the -q switch when running the DataLoader.
This switch will cause the DataLoader to use a queue when processing records, which can help reduce memory usage.
11) Use the -s switch when running the DataLoader.
This switch will cause the DataLoader to use a single-threaded process when loading data, which can help reduce memory usage.
12) Use the -x switch when running the DataLoader.
This switch will cause the DataLoader to skip creating new records if there are errors in the data, which can help reduce memory usage.
13) Use the -r switch when running the DataLoader.
This switch will cause the DataLoader to use a read-only mode when loading data, which can help reduce memory usage.
14) Use the -l switch when running the DataLoader.
This switch will cause the DataLoader to log all records that are processed, which can help reduce memory usage.
15) Use the -d switch when running the DataLoader.
This switch will cause the DataLoader to delete all files in the input directory after processing, which can help reduce disk space usage and thus help reduce memory usage.
These are just a few of the things that you can try if you are getting Heap Space Exceptions when using the DataLoader. If you are still having problems, please contact Salesforce support for further assistance.
Conclusion:
There are a number of things that you can try if you are getting Heap Space Exceptions when using the DataLoader. If you are still having problems, please contact Salesforce support for further assistance.