To help Windows Client users import data more efficiently, you can create system mapping instructions that work with most CSV files at your organization. System import instructions can be used by all users who can access the Advanced Import feature.
System mapping instructions can only be created by a system administrator.
System mapping instructions are normally available to all users in the Windows Client and can only be created by the system administrator. Personal mapping instructions can be created by any user and are only available to the user that created them.
If appropriate system mapping instructions do not exist for the data that you want to import, you need to create personal mapping instructions. You can either create personal mapping instructions from scratch or modify system mapping instructions and save them as personal instructions.
Advanced import mapping instructions are stored in IAI (.iai file extension) files. The IAI files for system mapping instructions are stored in your SysData directory. The IAI files for personal mapping instructions are stored in your Data directory. The location for these directories are set in your intractn.ini file. Mapping instructions created for regular InterAction imports cannot be used with the Advanced Import feature.
You can use InterAction to create and edit system import mapping instructions or personal import mapping instructions. You must log on using the System Administrator User account to create or edit system import mapping instructions.
Creating Advanced Import Mapping Instructions
To use the advanced import feature, you must enter your advanced data quality features license in InterAction Administrator. For more information, see Enter Your Advanced Data Quality Features License.
Instead of creating new import mapping instructions, you can modify existing mapping instructions and choose the Save as new import instructions option on the Edit Advanced Import Instructions dialog box. For details, see Edit Advanced Import Mapping Instructions.
- Log on to the Windows Client as a user with Data Quality permissions.
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Choose Data Quality > Advanced Import.
- On the Advanced Import dialog box, choose the file from which you want to import contacts.
- Select First row of file is field headers, if applicable.
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Choose the folder into which you want to import contacts.
For more information on choosing the folder into which the contacts are imported, see Choosing the Folders into Which Contacts Are Imported.
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To create new import instructions, choose New.
- Enter the Name for the import instructions.
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Choose Edit Details to specify the contact match method and Data Change Management settings.
For more information, see the following sections:
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On the New Advanced Import Instructions dialog box, choose Map Import Fields to specify the import mapping.
- To map an Import Field to an InterAction Field, select (highlight) both fields and choose the Map button. Make sure you highlight an InterAction field (non-bold), not a field group (bold). InterAction displays an asterisk next to fields that are mapped.
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The first time you map a field in a field group, the field group options dialog box displays, allowing you to specify how InterAction manages contacts in the field group. On the New Field Group Instructions dialog, specify your preferences for mapping the field.
Field Group See Name Managing Company Association Options Address, Phone, or Electronic Address Matching Addresses and Phones Additional Field Updating Additional Fields Folder Link Linking Contacts into Folders -
When you are done mapping fields, choose OK to return to the New Advanced Import Instructions dialog box.
- To remove a mapped field, select it from the list and choose the Clear Field Mapping button.
- To change a field mapping, remove the mapped field and add a new field mapping.
- To change the settings for the field group, select it from the list and choose Field Group Instructions.
- Choose OK to save and close the New Advanced Import Instructions dialog box and save the mapping instructions.
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Choose OK to import the contact information using the new mapping instructions or choose Cancel to close the Import Contacts dialog box without performing the import.
Once you have created mapping instructions, you can edit them and reuse them on an ongoing basis.
Edit Advanced Import Mapping Instructions
To use the advanced import feature, you must enter your advanced data quality features license in InterAction Administrator. For more information, see Enter Your Advanced Data Quality Features License.
- Log on to the Windows Client as a user with Data Quality permissions.
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Choose Data Quality > Advanced Import.
- On the Advanced Import dialog box, choose the file from which you want to import contacts.
- Select First row of file is field headers, if applicable.
- Choose the Import Formats button if you wish to import dates and numbers in a format other than your default regional settings.
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Choose the folder into which you want to import contacts.
For more information on choosing the folder into which the contacts are imported, see Choosing the Folders into Which Contacts Are Imported.
- Select the import instructions you want to edit and choose Edit.
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If you want to save the import instructions you are creating as new import instructions, enter a new name for the instructions and select the Save as new import instructions check box.
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On the Edit Advanced Import Instructions, change any information necessary.
To Do This Change the way in which contacts are matched Choose Edit Details Change the Data Change Management settings for the import Choose Edit Details Map another import field to an InterAction field Choose Map Import Fields Remove a mapped field Select it from the list and choose Clear Field Mapping Change the settings for the field group Select it from the list and choose Field Group Instructions. Change a field mapping Remove the mapped field and add a new field mapping. - Choose OK to close the Edit Advanced Import Instructions dialog box and save the mapping instructions.
- Choose OK to import into the specified folder using the new mapping instructions or choose Cancel to choose the Import Contacts dialog box without performing the import.