Create the address book data file

You can import data into a FootPrints Address Book from a flat text file in CSV (Comma Separated Value) format. This file must be formatted according to certain rules, and it must follow the Address Book's schema. You can import up to nine fields from your CSV file to the FootPrints Address Book. You can also map your fields to the FootPrints Address Book Fields.

Example

The CSV file example below contains a header line (LAST NAME, etc.) and fields separated by commas:

LAST NAME, FIRST NAME, EMAIL, USER ID, PHONE, SITE

Smith,Bob,bsmith@widget.com,12345,212-555-1234,Woodbridge

Jones, Mary, mjones@widget.com,45678,813-227-4500,Tampa

Verify Your CSV file format

1. Review the FootPrints Address Book schema.
   Below is a screenshot of the default schema, which you can view from Administration | Address Book | Schema.
   • Fields in red are mandatory; your CSV file must have data in these fields.
   • You can choose not to import optional fields (e.g., Phone or Department) when you load the data, as described in Load-External-Data-into-the-Address-Book.
     
     
     
2. Verify that your CSV file has the following formatting:
   • Required fields: Last Name, First Name, Email Address, and User ID. (The field "User ID" is the Primary Key and must be included as one of the fields to be imported.)
   • Optional: A header line with header names in uppercase, such as the example above (for ease of identification when mapping the fields)
   • Data (or a placeholder for optional fields) must be present for each field.
   • The fields for each contact must be separated by a comma “,”
   • The system new line separator (i.e., the result of pressing “Enter”, “Return”, “^M”, etc.) should appear at the end of each record (Contact)
   • The fields can be in any order in the CSV file
   • CSV files can wrap on multiple lines, with double-quotes, and with commas as the separator
   • The Checkbox data type can be loaded. The value for checked is "on"; for unchecked use either a null field or "off".

Next Step: Load-External-Data-into-the-Address-Book

Related Topic: Optional Features for Address Book Imports