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
| Field | Type | Description | Default | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| id | Text | Member number (ID). | Random ID according to the "Member ID Format" setting. | Optional |
| username | Text | Username. | Random username in the "u123456789" format. | Optional, but recommended |
| password | Text | Password for the member. | Random password. | Optional |
| Member's email. | - | Optional, but recommended | ||
| status | Status Code | The member's status. This must match a status code. | A | Required |
| member_type | Member Type | Must match a member type from "Members > Membership Types". | - | Optional |
| start_page | URL | Login redirection URL for this member. | - | Optional |
| account | Account ID | Must match the ID or name of an existing account. | - | Optional |
| source | Source Name | Must match an existing source from "Contacts > Sources". | - | Optional |
| owner | Employee | Username of the employee who will own this member. | system | Optional |
| joined | Date | Date on which the member joined. | Today | Optional |
| last_updated | Date | Date on which the member last joined. | - | Optional |
Contacts
| Field | Type | Description | Default | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-mail for this contact. | - | Required | ||
| type | Contact Type | Contact, Lead, Oppotunity, or Customer | Contact | Optional |
| status | Status Code | 1 = Action, 3 = Dead | 1 | Optional |
| public | Boolean | 1 = Public, 0 = Private | 1 | Optional |
| account | Account ID | Must match the ID or name of an existing account. | - | Optional |
| source | Source Name | Must match an existing source from "Contacts > Sources". | - | Optional |
| owner | Employee | Username of the employee who will own this contact. | - | Optional |
| expected_value | Monetary | Expected value for this contact. | 0.00 | Optional |
| next_action | Date | Date on which next action is required for this contact. | - | Optional |
| created | Date | Date on which this contact was generated. | Today | Optional |
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.
Article Links
- Overview
- CSV File
- Example CSV File
- Using Spreadsheet Software
- Available Fields
- Members
- Contacts
- Step-by-Step Example
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Published on 2013/07/16.
Last updated on 2013/08/27.