Import relies heavily on Batch as you must base your import on a batch template. You can work with Import tasks directly from Administration or within Batch. Regardless of the import you create, the process or "life" of an import includes similar steps. Use the following list to review descriptions for each step and how they relate to each other.
1. Configure import sources
Before you can create import processes, the system administrator must configure the import source locations where import files are stored on Secured FTP servers or a shared network directory. Each source includes a URL or file path and the credentials to access the location. When you create a new import process, you select the import source file location for that process. For details, see Configure Import Sources.
2. Configure import file mapping templates
An import file mapping template specifies how to map fields from an import file to a batch template. The template allows you to map fields once rather than manually mapping them each time you create an import process. After you create an import file mapping template, you can use it with any import process associated with the same batch template. For details, see Configure Import File Templates.
3. Generate import header file
To ease the mapping of fields to their corresponding header values in an import field, you can generate a comma-separated value (*.csv) file that automatically includes the header values for a batch template. After you generate the header file, you can enter data into the header file rows and save the file. It is important to save the file in a location recognized by SFTP or the network directory. For details, see Generate Import Header File.
4. Add an import process
Create an import process that generates a batch to add or update information from a file created in another application. For example, during an event, you may not have access to the program. Instead, you enter data in a spreadsheet program such as Microsoft Excel. After you save the spreadsheet, you can create an import process to bring that information into your database. When you add an import process, you select a batch template to use as the basis for the process. For details, see Add an Import Process
5. Start an import process
When you start an import process, the program uses the selected batch template to import the information in the selected import file into a new batch. After the process runs, the new batch appears on the Uncommitted Batches tab of the Batch Entry page. For details, see Start an Import Process.
6. Commit a batch
From the Uncommitted Batches tab, you can commit the batch. The program uses the data entered in the batch to create or update records in your database. For details, see Committed Batches.
7. Batch reports
Once a batch is committed, you can use several batch reports to review committed data as well as any exceptions (records that did not commit) that occurred. For details, see Batch Entry Reports.