Relate field does not update during import in SugarCRM

Question

I have build custom Module in SugarCRM and added a custom field of type 'relate' and linked with Accounts module. When I insert new record for this custom module via normal add/edit view it works perfectly alright and I can select an account via Account Name field. However when I use Import feature via CSV file it does not link with Accounts module however the Account already exists with same name. Same Account Name is working for other modules during import.

I am working on SugarCRM 6.5, I have build Custom Module via Module Builder than added custom field via Studio and also I have Many to Many relationship with this custom Contacts Module and Accounts Module.

Also as per the documentation when we create a relationship it automatically generates a field for relevant modules, but I do not see this happening in case of many-to-many relationship that's why I had to create a relate field that correspond to Accounts module.

Any help in this regard will be appreciated, I have already spent lot of time already to figure this out.

Aamir Hussain · Accepted Answer

A bit of distinction here that might help. When creating a custom field of type relate, this adds a single related field, in your example Accounts. To show up this field must also be added to the detailview and editview. (sounds like this has been done). Note that this field of type 'relate' is a single field and can be viewed as a one way street, in that only the related Account will show up in the VIP Contacts module. There is a distinction when referring to 'realtionships' rather than a single relate type field. Relationships can be viewed as a two way street, and relate both modules to one another. So, if you have a 1-to-1 relationship between Accounts and Contacts, the result will be a single contact relate field added to Accounts and a single accounts relate field added to Contacts. Similarly, if you define a Many-to-Many relationship then the result will be each module will contain a sub-panel for the other module. Since each module can have MANY related records they will be displayed in a sub-panel rather than a single relate field since this is a two way relationship compared to a single relate type field. With all that said, you may double check for the single relate field and/or the many-to-many relationship sub-panel in your custom module. The unexpected results might be from confusing or intermixing these two types of related fields during your import. I hope that helps...