Step by step guide to integrating Salesforce data with Anaplan

If you’ve ever thought, “Why is getting Salesforce data into Anaplan so clunky?”—this guide’s for you. You’ll get a clear, step-by-step process, honest warnings about what to avoid, and some hard-earned tips. This isn’t for folks looking for a high-level overview; it's for people who actually need to do the integration, not just talk about it.

What You Actually Need to Know Upfront

Syncing Salesforce and Anaplan is possible, but it’s rarely plug-and-play. You’ll need access to both platforms, and (unless your company already has a third-party connector) you’ll be dealing with some manual setup. The main ways to move data between Salesforce and Anaplan are:

  • Anaplan Connect: A command-line tool for batch integrations. Clunky but reliable.
  • Anaplan HyperConnect (powered by Informatica Cloud): Easier UI, but requires extra licensing and setup.
  • Third-party ETL tools like MuleSoft, Dell Boomi, or custom scripts.
  • Manual CSV exports/imports: Not glamorous, but sometimes all you need.

This guide focuses on using Anaplan Connect, since it’s the most “DIY” (and doesn’t require extra fees). If you’re lucky enough to have HyperConnect, you can skip some scripting but still need to map fields.

Step 1: Get Your Access and Permissions Sorted

Nothing kills momentum like missing permissions. Before you do anything:

  • Salesforce: Make sure you can export the data you need (usually via reports or the Salesforce Data Loader). You’ll need API access.
  • Anaplan: You’ll need Workspace Admin rights to set up imports and connect integrations.
  • Local machine/server: If you’re running Anaplan Connect, you’ll need Java installed and permissions to run scripts.

Pro tip: Don’t assume your IT team set this up already. Run a quick test export from Salesforce and a test import into Anaplan before you get fancy.

Step 2: Decide What Data Actually Needs to Move

Don’t just dump everything from Salesforce into Anaplan. That’s a recipe for confusion and broken models. Instead:

  • List what you really need (e.g., Opportunities, Accounts, custom fields).
  • Decide on the frequency (daily, weekly, etc.).
  • Map Salesforce fields to Anaplan modules. Not everything will match 1:1, so plan for some translation.

If you can’t answer the question, “Why does Anaplan need this field?”—leave it out.

Step 3: Extract Data from Salesforce

There’s more than one way to skin this cat, but here are two common approaches:

a) Scheduled Reports + Data Loader

  • Use Salesforce’s reporting to build a report with just the fields and records you need.
  • Export it as a CSV, either manually or via a scheduled report/email.
  • For automation, use Salesforce Data Loader to schedule recurring CSV exports. This can drop files onto a server or SFTP location.

b) Direct API Pull (Advanced)

  • Use Salesforce’s REST or Bulk API to extract data. This is more flexible but takes some scripting.
  • Output the result as a CSV (Anaplan’s favorite format).

What not to do: Don’t try to pull the entire Salesforce object if you only need a few columns. It’s slower, messier, and more prone to breaking.

Step 4: Prep Your Data for Anaplan

Anaplan is picky about file formats. Here’s what you need:

  • File type: CSV (UTF-8, no BOM).
  • Headers: Must match what Anaplan expects. Watch for spaces, special characters, and case sensitivity.
  • Data cleaning: Remove blank rows, weird characters, and anything that’ll trip up imports.
  • Date formats: Anaplan likes dates in YYYY-MM-DD. Check that before you upload.

Pro tip: Open your CSV in a plain text editor before importing. Excel sometimes adds invisible junk.

Step 5: Set Up Anaplan Import Actions

Now you’ll tell Anaplan how to consume your data.

  1. Upload a sample file manually to your target Anaplan module or list. This step defines the import mapping.
  2. Create an Import Action in Anaplan using this file. Map columns from your CSV to Anaplan fields.
  3. Test the import with your sample data. Fix errors now—don’t wait until it’s automated.
  4. Save the Import Action with a clear name (e.g., “Import Opportunities from Salesforce”).

If you see lots of unmapped items or errors, double-check your CSV headers and data types.

Step 6: Automate with Anaplan Connect

Manual imports get old fast. Anaplan Connect lets you script the whole thing.

  1. Download Anaplan Connect: Get the latest version from the Anaplan Community site.
  2. Set up a batch script (Windows) or shell script (Linux/Mac) that:
    • Logs in to Anaplan using your credentials or certificate.
    • Uploads your latest Salesforce data file.
    • Runs the Import Action you created.
    • Logs results and errors.
  3. Schedule the script to run automatically (using Windows Task Scheduler, cron, or similar).

Sample command: bash ./AnaplanClient.sh -u "user@email.com:password" -workspace "WorkspaceID" -model "ModelID" -file "Opportunities.csv" -put "Opportunities.csv" -import "Import Opportunities from Salesforce" -execute

Pro tip: Never hardcode passwords in scripts. Use environment variables or encrypted credential stores.

Step 7: Monitor and Troubleshoot

Automations break. Be ready.

  • Check import logs in Anaplan for errors.
  • Set up email alerts if imports fail (you’ll need a bit of scripting for this).
  • Keep an eye on field changes in Salesforce—new fields or picklist values can break imports.
  • Document your process. If you disappear, someone else should be able to fix things.

If you hit repeated failures, don’t just re-run the script and hope for the best. Figure out why—usually it’s a data mismatch, permissions issue, or a change in the Salesforce report.

What About Middleware and Fancy Connectors?

You’ll hear about tools like MuleSoft, Dell Boomi, or Informatica HyperConnect. They do make setup easier and support real-time syncs or complex transformations. But:

  • They cost extra. Sometimes a lot extra.
  • You still need to map fields, clean data, and test everything.
  • They’re not magic. You’ll still need to monitor and maintain the integration.

If you’ve got a big budget and want less scripting, these can be worth it. For most teams, though, Anaplan Connect plus scheduled CSVs is good enough.

Common Pitfalls (and How to Dodge Them)

  • Permissions errors: Most “broken” integrations are just missing user permissions.
  • File format issues: Anaplan is strict—double-check encoding, headers, and date formats.
  • Trying to sync everything, all at once: Start small. Get one data flow working before you scale up.
  • Not documenting what you did: You'll regret it in six months (or when you’re on vacation and someone else has to fix things).

Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often

Getting Salesforce data into Anaplan isn’t rocket science, but it’s rarely a one-and-done job. Start with a single data set, get the automation working, and build up from there. Don’t overcomplicate things with expensive connectors unless you really need them. Most teams are better served by a straightforward, well-documented process that everyone understands.

Stay skeptical of anyone who promises “seamless, real-time integration” with zero effort. The goal is reliable data, not a science project. Get the basics working, keep it clean, and tweak as you go.