---
title: Import data
description: Bulk import your existing Parquet files into a database and table in InfluxDB 3 Enterprise using the influxdb3 import upload command, and map columns to InfluxDB types. Imported data is stored in your object storage.
url: https://docs.influxdata.com/influxdb3/enterprise/admin/import-data/
estimated_tokens: 599
product: InfluxDB 3 Enterprise
version: enterprise
publisher: InfluxData
canonical: https://docs.influxdata.com/influxdb3/enterprise/admin/import-data/
date: '2026-06-16T23:06:16-05:00'
lastmod: '2026-06-16T23:06:16-05:00'
---

Bulk import is an InfluxDB 3 Enterprise feature that requires the[storage engine upgrade](/influxdb3/enterprise/reference/config-options/)(`--use-pacha-tree`).
Use it to load your existing Parquet files into a database and table.
InfluxDB 3 Enterprise writes the imported data to your object
storage.
The target database and table must already exist before you import your data
into them.

## How bulk import works

Bulk import reads your generic Parquet files, maps their columns to
InfluxDB 3 Enterprise types, and writes the resulting rows into an existing table.
Each file becomes a separate import job.

InfluxDB 3 Enterprise stores the imported data in your object storage and compacts
it automatically.
Rows become queryable after the compactor processes them, not immediately after
the upload completes.

> [!Note]
> Because imported data is queryable only after compaction, expect a delay before
> imported rows appear in query results after `influxdb3 import upload` returns.

## Import Parquet files

Use the `influxdb3 import upload` command to import one or more Parquet files.
For the complete command syntax and flags, see the[`influxdb3 import`](/influxdb3/enterprise/reference/cli/influxdb3/import/)CLI reference.

You can pass either of the following as the import source:

* A single Parquet file.
* A directory, which InfluxDB 3 Enterprise processes recursively for `*.parquet`files. InfluxDB 3 Enterprise creates one import job per file.

To review import jobs, use the `influxdb3 import list` command.

## Map columns to InfluxDB types

Use `--column` flags to map Parquet columns to InfluxDB 3 Enterprise types.
The following types are supported:

|  Type  |         Description         |
|--------|-----------------------------|
| `i64`  | Signed 64-bit integer field |
| `u64`  |Unsigned 64-bit integer field|
| `f64`  |     64-bit float field      |
| `bool` |        Boolean field        |
|`string`|        String field         |
| `time` |          Timestamp          |
| `tag`  |             Tag             |

Any Parquet column that you don’t map with a `--column` flag is imported as a
field.

#### Related
| Type | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Type | Description |
| i64 | Signed 64-bit integer field |
| u64 | Unsigned 64-bit integer field |
| f64 | 64-bit float field |
| bool | Boolean field |
| string | String field |
| time | Timestamp |
| tag | Tag |