User Name Format

Platform managers customize the format for how user names appear throughout the system.

By default, user names appear in this order:

  1. {prefix}

  2. {nickname|firstname}

    • if no preferred name is set, then use first name

  3. ({maidenname})

  4. {lastname}

  5. {suffix}

  6. {gradabbr}

    • grad year abbreviation

Platform managers use predefined placeholders to reformat how user names are shown.

  1. Select Core.

  2. Select Users.

  3. Select User profile settings.

  4. Select User name formats.

  5. Under Custom format, select the Edit.

  6. Use the placeholders to enter a new name format. For example:

    {prefix} {firstname} "{nickname}" {middlename} ({maidenname}) {lastname} {suffix} {gradyear}

  7. Select Save.

Early adopter program (EAP)

Schools participating in the early adopter program can configure multiple versions of user name formats to use as defaults in different areas of the application. For example, consider using

  • preferred names in areas primarily used by students and teachers , to ensure you respect each individual's wishes.

  • full legal names in areas primarily used by your school's administrative or back office staff, to ensure you handle the correct record when multiple users have similar names.

Tip: To request access, contact product manager Jessi Walters or your school’s Blackbaud account manager.

Prior to the EAP, your school used a single default format for all user names. You either edited it to your needs or else used the version created by Blackbaud.

This format is preserved as Original and is used by default in all System locations.

You can create additional formats and edit System locations to use your new ones.

Platform managers use predefined placeholders to reformat how user names are shown.

  1. Select Core.

  2. Select Users.

  3. Select User profile settings.

  4. Select User name formats.

  5. Select + Add.

  6. Enter a name to describe the format's purpose.

  7. Use the drop down menu to select a placeholder to add to your format. Then select additional placeholders.

    As you enter the format, a preview appears using sample data.

    Tip: For placeholders, be sure to retain the exact spelling used from the menu options.

  8. Next, add spaces, punctuation, or additional text (such as "class of").

  9. Select Save.

Platform managers use predefined placeholders to reformat how user names are shown.

  1. Select Core.

  2. Select Users.

  3. Select User profile settings.

  4. Select User name formats.

  5. Locate the name format and select the ellipsis (...) at the front of its row.

  6. Select Edit.

  7. Enter your changes.

    As you enter the format, a preview appears using sample data.

    Tip: For placeholders, be sure to retain the exact spelling used from the drop down menu options.

  8. Select Save.

Platform managers can permanently remove unused user name formats.

  1. Select Core.

  2. Select Users.

  3. Select User profile settings.

  4. Select User name formats.

  5. Locate the name format and select the ellipsis (...) at the front of its row.

  6. Select Delete and then confirm the change.

Platform managers determine which user name formats are used in each area of the application.

  1. Select Core.

  2. Select Users.

  3. Select User profile settings.

  4. Select User name formats.

    Tip: To review which functions (PeopleFinder, lists, profile headers, etc.) are included in each system location, expand its row or select Expand all.

  5. Locate a system location and then select Edit (pencil icon at the front of its row).

  6. Choose an existing format.

  7. Select Save.

Note: Some features may currently show user names in a format not defined by any of these. They’ll be gradually updated in future releases. The older format will be replaced by a format from your school's settings. They'll also be listed within the corresponding system location. To stay informed, see What's New .