Prevent Server Scripts from Running During Data Import - ERPNext v12

ERPNext
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ERPNext v12 – Prevent Server Scripts from Running During Data Import

Issue
In ERPNext v12, Server Scripts (Before Save / After Save) may still execute during Data Import, even when using common checks like:

  • frappe.flags.in_import

  • frappe.flags.in_importer

  • frappe.flags.mute_emails

These global flags are not reliable inside safe_exec, causing unwanted side effects such as auto ToDo creation or workflow automation during imports.

Finding
During Data Import, ERPNext consistently sets the following flag on the document:

doc.flags.updater_reference.label == "via Data Import"

This value is:

  • Always present for imported records

  • Accessible inside Server Scripts

  • Reliable across doctypes

Solution
Use this guard condition to safely skip automation during imports:

skip_automation = False
try:
    if doc.flags.updater_reference and doc.flags.updater_reference.get("label") == "via Data Import":
        skip_automation = True
except:
    pass

if not skip_automation:
    # automation logic

Result

  • Automation skipped during Data Import

  • Normal behavior on manual saves

  • Fully safe-exec compatible

This approach has proven to be the most reliable method in ERPNext v12.