Data Loader

Running Data Loader Migration Jobs automatically

Although the Data Loader also comes with it's own scheduler but it executes schedule jobs only when the user is logged on to the system. So if you need to execute migration jobs whether user is logged on or not, then you can use Windows Task Scheduler to execute Data Loader migration jobs using Data Loader runtime.

In this article we will see how we can run database migration job automatically even when the user is logged on or not using Windows Task Scheduler.

As you may be aware that Data Loader comes with a separate Data Loader runtime which can be used to execute database migration jobs from command line. This command line option helps users to execute the migration job from another program or schedule and run database migration from Windows.

The syntax for calling Data Loader runtime from command line is given below

DLRUN.exe  <session_id> [showoutput]

Where :
   <session_id> : The session ID which you want to execute.
   showoutput     : (Optional) If specified then Data Loader will show a output window

Creating a Basic Task

Creating a Advance Task (which can run even when the user is logged on or not)

Creating a Basic Task using Windows Task Scheduler

Let's see how we can create a Basic Task in Windows Task Scheduler for running Data Loader Migration Jobs

Step 1

Make sure you have created and saved a Session in Data Loader successfully. If you have not done so, then please first create a Session by choosing your source and target databases and then save and run it and see it's running properly. Also please note down it's Session ID.

 Step 2

Start Task Scheduler in Windows

To start Task Scheduler

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. Click Control Panel.
  3. Click System and security.
  4. Click Administrative Tools.
  5. Double-click Task Scheduler.

Step 3

In the Task Scheduler window click on "Create Basic task..." as shown below

task scheduler

Then you will prompted to enter the Name of the task. Enter whatever name you like

task-scheduler-name

After clicking next, you will be asked to choose the interval, choose your desired interval time and click next

task-scheduler-interval

task-runtime

Then you will be prompted to choose the task action, choose the first option "Start a program" and click next

task-action

In the next screen, click browse button to choose the program this task should run. Navigate to the folder where Data Loader is installed and choose "DLRun.exe" . It's usually located in "C:\Program files(86)\Data Loader 4.8" folder.

task-program-name

In the arguments text box, you will need to enter the Data Loader Session ID which you want to execute.

Next, click Finish button to save the task.

task-save

Once you save it the Windows Task Scheduler will execute the Data Loader Session and you can check the Session Log file to view the progress of migration. Remember you specify the Session Log file name while saving the Session in Data Loader.

Creating a Advance Task (which can run even when the user is logged on or not)

Make sure you have installed and activated Data Loader under a user who has Administrator privilege.

Step 1

Make sure you have created and saved a Session in Data Loader successfully. If you have not done so, then please first create a Session by choosing your source and target databases and then save and run it and see it's running properly. Also please note down it's Session ID.

Step 2

Start Task Scheduler in Windows

To start Task Scheduler

  1. Click the Start button.
  2. Click Control Panel.
  3. Click System and security.
  4. Click Administrative Tools.
  5. Double-click Task Scheduler.

Step 3

In the Task Scheduler window click on "Create task..." as shown below

create advance task

Enter the name of this task as "DataLoader" and choose the "Run whether user is logged on or not" and "Run with highest privileges" option as shown below

enter-task-name

Next Click on Triggers tab and click New button to define your interval

Next Click on Actions tab and click "New.." button and click Browse button to choose "C:\Program Files(86)\Data Loader\DLRun.exe" and in the argument box enter your Session ID

task-program

Next click on Settings tab and choose the "Run the task as soon as possible after a scheduled start is missed" checkbox

start task after interval missed

Click OK to save the Task.

You can periodically view the Session Log file to see the progress of Session. Whether Session has run successfully or not and whether any errors have occurred or not.