Scenario A: Inserting NEW Notes (2 Steps)

You cannot just "insert notes to Accounts." You must create the note first, then create the link.

Step 1: Insert the Note (ContentNote)

1. Prepare a CSV with 2 columns: Title and Content.
   • Note: For the Content column, Data Loader requires a file path to a text/HTML file on your computer containing the note body. You cannot just put the text in the CSV cell if it's complex.
2. Open Data Loader -> Insert -> ContentNote.
3. Map the fields and run.
4. Crucial: Save the Success file. It contains the new ID (This is the Note ID).

Step 2: Link to Account (ContentDocumentLink)

1. Take the Success file from Step 1.
2. Add a column LinkedEntityId (Put the Account ID here).
3. Add a column ShareType (Set value to 'I' or 'V'). 'I' (Inferred) is standard for owner permissions.
4. Open Data Loader -> Insert -> ContentDocumentLink.
5. Map:
   • ContentDocumentId -> Map to the ID from Step 1.
   • LinkedEntityId -> Map to the Account ID.
   • ShareType -> Map to 'I'.
6. Run. Now the note appears on the Account.

Scenario B: Updating EXISTING Notes

To update, you don't touch the Account or the Link. You just update the Note itself.

1. Export:
   • You need to find the ID of the notes linked to your Accounts.
   • Query ContentDocumentLink:

sql
SELECT ContentDocumentId, LinkedEntityId FROM ContentDocumentLink WHERE LinkedEntityId IN ('AccountID1', 'AccountID2', ...)

This gives you the ContentDocumentId (The Note ID).

1. Update:
   • Create a CSV with ContentDocumentId and the new Title or Content.
   • Open Data Loader -> Update -> ContentNote.
   • Map Id to ContentDocumentId (or Id if you exported from ContentNote directly).