Create Custom Constituent Imports

Custom Constituent Imports integrate your organization's data into the Constituent360 database. This feature offers additional options over the Standard Constituent Import in the following ways:

• Field Mapping: Match the column headers in the Constituent360 database with the headers in your upload file to avoid modifying columns after an upload

• Date Format: Specify the format for dates in your upload file so that they are handled correctly by the processing server

• Data Decisions: Specify whether your uploaded data should be used to create new records, or overwrite existing records

• Boolean Switch: Other databases may set to "True" certain values that, in the Constituent360 database, are set to "False." You can indicate which column headers require reversing True/False values

• Data Uploads: Schedule data upload operations on your own

• Data Import: Reuse the same custom data import with multiple record files

When you import data, you can create new records or update existing records, such as assigning a constituent or number of constituents to a group that already exists.

Overview of the Custom Constituent Import process:

1. Prepare a plain text data file to upload

2. Name and define the purpose and other characteristics of the import

3. Upload the data file for immediate processing, or schedule a recurring upload. If scheduled, use FTP to transfer the file to the Blackbaud server

4. Map the fields in your file to those in the Constituent360 database

5. Add your constituents to a center or centers

6. Specify how the uploaded data should be processed

After you successfully import your data, you can manage the Custom Constituent Import from the Data Sync Operations list page.