CSV Import Fails for Object-Type Custom Fields (Object not found) in NetBox 4.3.4

[MandeepSingh-1994]

NetBox version

v4.3.4

Python version

(Paste from: python3 --version)

Steps to Reproduce

1. Create custom fields of type "Object" related to:
   • Device
   • Interface
2. Assign them to L2VPN model.
3. Manually assigning the custom field via UI works correctly.
4. Attempt to import via CSV using object name or nested lookup fields.

CSV Used

name,slug,status,identifier,type,description,cf_End_A_Interface_Origin
VSI-16,vsi-16,active,16,vpls,Test Description,18754

OR

name,slug,status,identifier,type,description,cf_End_A_Interface_Origin__device__name,cf_End_A_Interface_Origin__name
VSI-16,vsi-16,active,16,vpls,Test Description,DLE_OWAASHK_HWA673_R1_01,XGE/0/1

Expected Behavior

CSV import should resolve the object and assign the custom field value (same as manual selection via UI).

Observed Behavior

Import fails with:

"Record 1 cf_End_A_Interface_Origin: Object not found"

Even though:

• Device exists
• Interface exists
• Manual assignment works
• Interface ID exists and is valid

Additional Information

• Using object primary key (ID) also fails.
• This affects object-type custom fields only.
• Core model fields resolve correctly via nested lookup.

Is this expected behavior for custom object fields in CSV import?
Is nested lookup officially supported for custom fields?

[pratikrath126]

Hey Mandeep! NetBox 4.3 has seen some changes in how custom fields and imports are handled. For object-type custom fields, the import logic usually expects either the primary key or a unique 'slug/name' depending on the specific field configuration. Have you checked if the objects you're trying to reference in the CSV are already present in the database and that you're using the correct lookup value? If you can share a snippet of your CSV header and the problematic row (with dummy data), that would help in troubleshooting!

[MandeepSingh-1994]

Hi Pratik,

Thanks for your response.

I am using the attached CSV header format to upload the data. The devices and interfaces are already present in NetBox. When I select the values manually in the UI, it works without any issue.
However, when I try to upload the same data using CSV import, it shows the error: “Object not found".
Could you please let me know if I’m missing something in the CSV format or if there is any specific way to import object-type custom fields?

[netbox_L2VPNs Format.csv](https://github.com/user-attachments/files/25539076/netbox_L2VPNs.Format.csv)

[MandeepSingh-1994]

Hi Pratik,

Thanks for your response.

I am using the attached CSV header format to upload the data. The devices and interfaces are already present in NetBox. When I select the values manually in the UI, it works without any issue.
However, when I try to upload the same data using CSV import, it shows the error: “Object not found".
Could you please let me know if I’m missing something in the CSV format or if there is any specific way to import object-type custom fields?

netbox_L2VPNs Format.csv