Importing

Overview

Importing allows you to create, edit, or delete contacts and members using a properly formatted CSV (comma separated values) file.

CSV File

Every import is built around a properly formatted CSV file. When creating a CSV file, you will need to follow these conventions:

  • Each field that you are importing needs to be "delimited" (separated) by either a comma or a tab character.
  • Data should not take up more than a single line. That means that each line after the first line represents one contact or one member.
  • The first line should contain the proper "Display Name" or "Caller Tag" of the field you are importing. You can find this information from the "Integration > Fields" page of the administrative dashboard:

You must use the exact display name or caller tag when creating the first line of your CSV file.

  • If a "value" for a field contains a comma, you need to enclose the value in quotes.
  • The number of values in each line must match the number of fields on the first line of the CSV file.

Example CSV File

username,first_name,last_name,email,company_name,occupation,address_line_1,twitter,city
johndoe,John,Doe,john@doe.com,"Acme, Inc",Lead Developer,100 S State St,http://twitter.com/ascadnetworks,Chicago
janedoe,Jane,Doe,jane@doe.com,Ascad Networks,VP of Sales,272 Broadway St,,New York

The above CSV file, when imported, would create two new members, one with username "johndoe", another with username "janedoe".

  • Notice how the company name for user "johndoe" contains a comma. Because of this, to not confuse the program, you must enclosed it quotes: "Acme, Inc".
  • You can leave a value blank, but you still need to include in on the file. Notice how for "janedoe", the Twitter URL is not available, therefore a empty space is found between the address and city.

Using Spreadsheet Software

The easiest way to create a properly formatted CSV file is to use spreadsheet software such as OpenOffice Calc, Microsoft Excel, or Google Docs Spreadsheet.

  • Click here for a walkthrough explaining how to create a spreadsheet in Google Docs.

Available Fields

On top of the standard fields listed at "Integration > Fields", the following fields are available for members and contacts.

Members

FieldTypeDescriptionDefaultRequired?
idTextMember number (ID).Random ID according to the "Member ID Format" setting.Optional
usernameTextUsername.Random username in the "u123456789" format.Optional, but recommended
passwordTextPassword for the member.Random password.Optional
emailE-MailMember's email.-Optional, but recommended
statusStatus CodeThe member's status. This must match a status code.ARequired
member_typeMember TypeMust match a member type from "Members > Membership Types".-Optional
start_pageURLLogin redirection URL for this member.-Optional
accountAccount IDMust match the ID or name of an existing account.-Optional
sourceSource NameMust match an existing source from "Contacts > Sources".-Optional
ownerEmployeeUsername of the employee who will own this member.systemOptional
joinedDateDate on which the member joined.TodayOptional
last_updatedDateDate on which the member last joined.-Optional

Contacts

FieldTypeDescriptionDefaultRequired?
emailE-MailE-mail for this contact.-Required
typeContact TypeContact, Lead, Oppotunity, or CustomerContactOptional
statusStatus Code1 = Action, 3 = Dead1Optional
publicBoolean1 = Public, 0 = Private1Optional
accountAccount IDMust match the ID or name of an existing account.-Optional
sourceSource NameMust match an existing source from "Contacts > Sources".-Optional
ownerEmployeeUsername of the employee who will own this contact.-Optional
expected_valueMonetaryExpected value for this contact.0.00Optional
next_actionDateDate on which next action is required for this contact.-Optional
createdDateDate on which this contact was generated.TodayOptional

Step-by-Step Example

Click here for a step-by-step example which works through the creation of the spreadsheet and the subsequent importing of the CSV file.

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Published on 2013/07/16.
Last updated on 2013/08/27.

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