Hi there!
Christmas is getting close, but before that it's time for a new update in Starlify!
With this release, we're introducing a really helpful addition to the import functionality, the "merge with existing data" operation
Let’s take a look 👇
📥 The "merge with existing data" operation for imports
We’ve expanded our import functionality with a new operation that gives you more control over how incoming data affects existing entities. Until now, all imports used an upsert-style overwrite operation: existing lists were replaced, and empty fields could remove data. This worked for many cases but could cause unwanted data loss in scenarios where you simply wanted to add new information.
To solve this, we now support the "merge with existing data" operation, which allows you to add new values to existing entities without removing anything already stored. You can select the operation in the UI, but you can also instruct the system directly in the import file using the operation field — especially useful when imports are generated by scripts or AI.
🧠 Why it matters
Different use cases require different handling of existing data.
With the Merge operation:
You can enrich existing entities without accidentally deleting information.
Lists only grow; nothing is removed when you import with append mode.
Empty fields in the import no longer clear values.
Scripts, integrations, and AI-generated files can enforce import behavior even if the user selects the wrong UI option.
This ensures predictable, safe imports and gives teams full control over how data evolves.
📥 How to control the import operation
You can set the import operation in two ways:
If the file contains an operation value, it always overrides the operation setting in the import browser. This ensures consistent behavior for automated imports or AI-generated files.
Try it out and let us know what you think 💬