What type of key should be used as the primary key during import from Excel?

Using a specific field such as AccountID as the primary key during the import from Excel is often the best choice because it uniquely identifies each record in the dataset. A primary key must be unique for each entry to effectively serve its purpose, which is to ensure that every record can be distinctly referenced.

AccountID, if designed as a unique identifier for each account, guarantees that no two records will share the same value, making it an ideal candidate for the primary key in a relational database. In many scenarios, this could represent something like a customer ID or similar designator that is inherently unique to individuals or records.

In contrast, choosing an Auto Number might not always provide a meaningful context or relationship between data entries, even though it generates unique identifiers. Text fields could lead to duplications if not managed properly, and number fields may not be adequately unique or descriptive. Therefore, selecting AccountID helps maintain the integrity and relational capabilities of the database.