Importing prefixes with existing contacts

[Sebz1]

Hi all,

When importing the prefixes through import contacts with 'fill' or 'dedupe' and first/last name rules (I've already imported the contacts), the importer recognises if the .csv file has relevant prefix values (mr/mrs/sir, etc) and if they are invalid, it raises the issue by asking me to add the prefixes. This suggests that it is mapping to the correct field (as it is specific about what can be entered), though nothing appears in the field in civicrm, despite the import reporting that the vast majority of rows have imported.
prefixes can be added manually on the contact screen in civicrm. This updates the PHP database, too, though the import does not effect anything in the database which I can find.

Any ideas as to how to remedy this? Thanks in advance!

[ayduns]

If you import a new contact (not a dupe) or set the dedupe rule to 'none', is the prefix imported?

[Sebz1]

Importing a new contact results in the prefix being imported, even without the dedupe rule set to none.

It only seems to become an issue when I'm trying to update the existing contacts, which is what I need to do (contacts are all already in database, they just need their prefixes). Unfortunately, starting the process from scratch would be a very lengthly process. It seems there's some kind of bug - other details (such as address) imported successfully using the same method.

[ayduns]

Check that your prefixes exactly match those configured in the Individual Prefixes tab, e.g. "Mr." not "Mr" etc

If I use "Mr", I can reproduce the behaviour you are seeing (on 4.5.4) with the import claiming to have updated the contacts but the prefix is not changed.  If I correct the import file to "Mr.", it updates as expected.

[Sebz1]

My prefixes do exactly match the value in the .csv file, yes. I tried testing with the 'Job Title' field alongside the prefix whilst importing a test .csv for one contact, which is not being imported either. I tried testing the 'Job Title' field without importing prefixes at all, and that worked fine.

My 'Dedupe rule' requires first name and last name to be the same to flag, so that should be matching the contact properly with the record.

Next to 'For Duplicate Contacts', I've tried with both 'Fill' and 'No Duplicate Checking'. No imports either way.

Seems that there is an issue on our server, as I tried the same on my local and that worked fine. Any ideas what it might be would be appreciated.