Multiple import options: which one to use? Should I use device import or API import?

Prior to v5.2.0 we only had import options for specific categories, so top of Tools > Import section you see import options such as IP Import, Device Import, Asset Import, Hardware Import etc. These come with a sample excel sheet and mostly work well.

Starting with v5.2.0 we added an option to use APIs to import any data using excel files. This was added under Tools > Import > API import. This has following advantages:

1. It covers much more categories than regular import options provided.
2. It is more flexible and
3. It is more current in terms of matching the changes in the feature set.

In almost all cases(except importing the pre-defined hardware sheet), we would recommend using the API import. Sample sheet provided will give you an idea and documentation link next to each section will give you all the values you can import.

If you download the sample excel file from Tools > Import > Racked Device Import and from Tools > API Import > "Add devies to racks", you will see columns as shown above.

However, the API Import sheet is more flexible and you can make it match the parameters as defined in the API docs for adding devices to the rack:
http://docs.device42.com/api-overview/data-create-update-apis/addingupdating-a-device-in-the-rack-using-restful-apis/

So the 3rd row in sample excel sheet for API rack import, might look like this:
serial_no | rack | room | building | start_at

You can import device by serial #, rack, room and building name. start_at can be auto or U location and it will mount the device to rack.