Import Lists

When you create an imported list segment, you can import the .csv file with the list data into the program. When you import a list, you can use an existing layout or create a new one.

To reuse a list segment, you can change its imported list file. For example, each year you can use the New Year’s List for the New Year’s appeal mailing. Rather than creating a new list each year for the appeal, you can reuse the New Year’s list and create one list segment for which you change the import file each year. When you change the import file on a list segment, information about the old import file is preserved on the Import history tab. Also, you can still look up members of the old list file using their finder numbers. To change the import file, on the Edit list segment screen, select Clear next to the Import file field. This clears the existing import file so you can select the new import file.

  1. From the Add list segment screen, in the File field, select the file upload button and browse to a valid .csv file. This file will be copied into the database as part of the import process.The Select list file screen appears.

  2. Choose an import file layout. In the Existing layout field, you can select a layout created for a previous import file that includes the same fields. Otherwise, select New Layout and enter a name. For more information about file layouts, see List File Layouts.

  3. Under Code table field options, select what should occur when the import file includes code table entries such as titles or suffixes that do not already exist in your database. To receive an error when the file is imported, select Generate exception. To automatically add the entries to the table, select Add new entries to code table.

  4. Under Field mapping, the program maps the fields in the list according to the selected file layout. For more information about mapping fields, see List Field Mapping.

  5. Select Import to begin the import process. The List Segment Import Status page appears while the import processes. For more information see, List Segment Import Status Page.

  6. When you return to the segment, the Import History tab lists each import instance. For more information, see Import history.