Simple Import, Excel - sugar

[siotha]

Hi.
I'm no techy. But I just want to do a simple "account" update.

Here's my SBS:
1. Have CSV file
2. click the import button under accounts
3. Map data
4. Expected results:
- instead of importing or error as a duplicate - i just want to merge the mapped field with the existing accounts.

Here are the list of Fields in my excel file (simplified)

1. Account Name
2. Promo Code

Sugar has matching fields setup and my file can be mapped there.

DB field names @ account level:
1. Account Name
2. Promo Code

When i select the options for indexing, the import errors out.
When i don't select the indexing the import just adds the account name and promo code but doesn't update the original file already created in Sugar.

IE.

In Sugar I have an account with the following (shortend details)

1. Account name = Siotha
2. Promo code = (blank)
3. Address stuff = (filled in)

I would like to use the import feature to "append or merge" what is already in my sugar.

Help?

[tparson]

Sugar import function is not designed to do what you want. You really have two choices, from the front end:

1. Do your import and do duplicate merging afterwards; OR
2. Export all accounts to a CSV, delete them in Sugar, put your new fields in the spreadsheet and re-import them. Be sure, when you do this import, to include account id in the mapping so you don't lose the relationship data with Contacts.

Option 3 is backend, which is to do your work in the sql database directly but this is not generally recommended.

No matter which option you choose, be sure to backup first.

Wish I had a better answer!

Tracy

[siotha]

ARE there any modules to help me with this?

Surely I'm not missing the point of the import function, right? Other people use it for this too? or?

[tparson]

There may be something in SugarExchange but I'm not aware of a product that updates fields through import. The other option you have is mass-update which you can use if what you are changing is consistent. For example, lets say that 50 of your accounts are receiving the same promo code. You could use mass update to create this.

In order for this to work you would have had to choose "mass update" as an option when you created the custom field, which also means that your Promo Code field would have to be a dropdown. So this would only be practical if you had a limited number of promo codes that you were using. If each account has it's own code, this won't be an effective solution.

[siotha]

hrm. No the values are unique. I'd have to go in an manually edit 20-100 accounts a day. blah.

So - even if the data is manipulated to map to the id feild - there's no "update" import?

[tparson]

No, there isn't, as far as I know. Fastest answer is to do the export, delete and re-import.

[leticia.filomeno]

Hi

I am brand new in using sugar and i am supposed to set all system rules for my company. I need to create the custom fields and display them on contacts, accounts pages.

Can anyone give me a light?

I already created dropdown fields and all, but am having dificulties to go on

many thanks
letícia

[xtrain]

Once you create the custom feild, edit the module layout. You may have to add rows to allow room for more data.

On the left the the screen there is a list of all data fields, including your custom ones. Drag and drop them to the newly created rows.

TIP: SAVE OFTEN. for me every little thing I did was lost of if i didn't save right after the, edit, change, move, shake, jump... etc.. you get my point.

[leticia.filomeno]

Hey

many thanks! I will try again, I did that but at least I was doing something wrong...

letícia

[leticia.filomeno]

Hello,

I have one more question/ discussion to make.

Would it be wrong for me to not use the lead module to deal with prospects, but just have a customized field on the accounts and contacts forms stating it is a prospect status? I would work wih every contact in a unique way, knowing the differences between them using a relationship status field.

what do you think about this?
it is juts it doesnt make to sense for me to have 3 "databases" when i can have only 2: accounts and contact. a prospect will always be a contact or account anyway..

Am i to crazy to think this way?

many thanks for your attention
letícia