I have a CSV file of custom objects with field data to be updated, but the records are identified by their auto-number names instead of IDs.
How do I use DataLoader, WorkBench, or other automated update utility to look up the records by auto-number? I tried a few variations of "look up via" in DataLoader but it didn't work.
I do not need to edit the auto-numbers or create new ones.
Eric Praud (Activ8 Solar Energies) 
Forum Ambassador
Hi Frank,
The easiest would be to export the existing data with the Name (auto-number) and Salesforce ID.
You can now do a VLOOKUP function in Excel to get the SFDC Id in your "update" file.
If this will happen again, I woudl recommend you create a unique text field set as external ID, then update all the rexisting records so this field has the same value as the Name.
You could also create a record-triggered flow for the future so this text field gets updated on creation.
Now, when using your importing tool, you'll be able to use the upsert function and use this external ID as the match instead of the SFDC Id
