Preserve custom data when switching contact type?

[aaronchow]

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering if anyone can give me some input.

My NPO offers two type of memberships (Analyst members and Candidates).  Our members would begin with Candidates.  Once they finished the training program, they will be switched over to become an Analyst member.  Our training program lasts around 4+ years, and I'll need to collect some information throughout the years.  Originally I created the "Candidates" as an event / membership type, but I found out that I cannot have custom data-set with multiple records assigned to an event or a membership type.  As a result, I created a new contact type and created a custom data-set that allows multiple records.  My current workaround will fail when our member finishes their training program and switch over to the analyst members contact type.  It tells me that all of the previously entered information will be erased if I do that.

I don't mind to re-create and re-enter the information (as it isn't that much), but what best practice do you recommend me to follow?  Should I simply apply this custom data-set to "analyst members" contact type also (that seems the easiest, but my boss doesn't really like this idea)?  Any advice is appreciated!

- Aaron

[JohnFF]

Hi aaron,

My advice is: attach the custom data to both contact subtypes.

Cheers,

JohnFF