Author Topic: What is the meaning of DB fields? (Read 3616 times)

anyegongjue · October 26, 2008, 04:56:40 pm

Hi there,

I want to import some contact data into "civicrm_contact". But when I try to map the field, I get some trouble.

I am new to civicrm, and I don't the meaning and usage of the DB fields. For example, what's the difference of "external_identifier", "legal_identifier", "primary_contact_id", "internal contact ID"?

If I get a simple User table like below, which field should I use to map the "ID"?

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ID FirstName LastName
1 Tim Green
2 Tom Smith
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If anyone who can provide a explanation about the DB fields, that will be great help!

Thanks!!!

SteveM · October 27, 2008, 10:12:50 am

From the schema:
"legal_identifier": May be used for SSN, EIN/TIN, Household ID (census) or other applicable unique legal/government ID.
"external_identifier": Unique trusted external ID (generally from a legacy app/datasource). Particularly useful for deduping operations.
"primary_contact_id": Optional FK to Primary Contact for this household.
The "internal contact id" is a unique ID generated by and used in CiviCRM

It looks to me that you want your ID to be the "external identifier".

petednz · October 29, 2008, 01:30:18 pm

Always best just to set up some contacts as you want them in civiCRM and then do an export of all those fields, that way you can 'reverse engineer' your data before you import. hope that makes sense

anyegongjue · October 29, 2008, 11:21:29 pm

I think I find the way to do it.

Thanks so much!

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Author Topic: What is the meaning of DB fields? (Read 3616 times)

anyegongjue

What is the meaning of DB fields?

SteveM

Re: What is the meaning of DB fields?

petednz

Re: What is the meaning of DB fields?

anyegongjue

Re: What is the meaning of DB fields?