Handling Null Values in Identity Manager Bulk Loader CSV Files

Products

• CA Identity Manager
• CA Identity Suite

Issue/Introduction

When using the Identity Manager Bulk Loader, defining null values in a CSV file requires specific syntax. The CSV parser interprets values differently depending on the use of single or double quotes, which can affect whether an attribute is treated as an empty string or a literal "null" string.

Environment

Identity Manager

Cause

The CSV parser class setter methods interpret inputs based on quotation marks:

• Double quotes ("null"): Interpreted as an empty string.
• Single quotes ('null'): Converted to the literal string value "null".

Resolution

To ensure an attribute is explicitly set to the word "null" as a string, you must use single quotes in your CSV file.

1. Format the CSV Entry: When preparing your CSV file, wrap the target value in single quotes as follows:

   • 'null'

2. Sample CSV Configuration: The following example demonstrates how to set the email attribute to the literal string "null":

   action, uid, givenName, sn, cn, description, email, organization, city, state, addresses
   create,SampleUser1,Sample,User,Sample User,Sample,'null',NeteAuto,"ou=NeteAuto,dc=security,dc=com",Import,LA,111 Generic address st

3. Validation: Upon importing this CSV, the Identity Manager Bulk Loader will assign the literal string "null" to the specified attribute (e.g., email = null), rather than leaving it empty.