Author Topic: Relationships with external identifier (Read 1048 times)

jakedeo · May 26, 2008, 03:15:53 pm

I have a pretty decently sized access database that needs to be imported into civi 2.02. There are multiple tables linked with a contactID from a previous M$ application. I want to import the basic contact info using this as an external ID and then the relationships (such as groups they belong to and some 1-1 relationships).

I have a pretty good idea of how to do this and the first batch is in CiviCRM, but what now? What is the best way to organize the rest of this import? I have searched all over for some kind of a better idea and haven't found much.

Thanks so much for any help with this.

geilhufe · May 27, 2008, 05:57:34 pm

In general, you want to import your data in layers.

Construct multiple csv files, each keyed to the external ID.

Import your base csv to create the basic constituent records. Then use the add/update function of the import wizard to layer in each new csv.

Try it with a very small record set first so you get all your formating correct. Also assume it will take awhile as you will generally need to clean up your csv files as CiviCRM identifies problems with the data.

Dave Greenberg · May 27, 2008, 08:54:12 pm

Adding to David Geilhufe's comments below - you can "add contacts to a Group" during import. BUT you'll have to divide up your import by the Group you want to add them too. If this is too onerous, you may need to write a custom SQL script to handle the group assignments (check out the 2.0 ERD in the Develop section of the documentation for an overview of how this is stored in the DB).

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Author Topic: Relationships with external identifier (Read 1048 times)

jakedeo

Relationships with external identifier

geilhufe

Re: Relationships with external identifier

Dave Greenberg

Re: Relationships with external identifier