Organizing Your Data for Import

During an import, each row of your spreadsheet becomes a separate record and the data in each column is mapped to a specific field.   This is an automated process so good data works, bad data breaks.

• If a row is missing data in any of the required fields, the record will not be created.  Optional fields can be left empty.
• Your column headers must match the field names precisely or the data will end up in the wrong place, or more likely, left out altogether.

• Business Names and Individual Names must be in separate columns.   
• The software uses separate fields for first and last names.  If your spreadsheet does not, the importer will convert them if you use the correct column header:

• Make sure all data within each column is consistent (ie all phone numbers, or first name only).
• Make sure all Required columns contain data in each row.  
• The importer does not validate or format email addresses, phone numbers or zip codes - they will be imported exactly as listed - so review those columns carefully.
• If you are copying/pasting, make sure you haven't accidentally captured any html (web formatting) in your content (eg </p>" etc.)
• Custom fields are available for donors/users/guests (add udf_ to your column header).   
• Custom fields are not available for items.  
• It is always easier to edit data in a spreadsheet than to edit individual records within a database.  Clean it up before importing!