Members Imports

The Members Import process allows you to easily update your Comsend member information with data from external sources.  In the pre-load process, Comsend will review your import file, consider your field mappings, and compare to your database. Any errors or notes to your attention will be compiled into a convenient Pre-Load Log Report which you should review. 

You should make any mass member info changes before you launch you campaign.  Please ask Support if you think you need to make changes mid-campaign. 

Matching Records

When updating your data Comsend will attempt to match key data in your import file with your Comsend records. If a match is made, the information is updated. If a match isn't made, new member families are added.

1. The best and safest match is when you have a Comsend Member ID. That's typically the case if you first export your Comsend members, update the export file, and then upload the updates.
2. The next best match is based on an External ID from another system. These IDs should be unique to a member family and are convenient to use when updating your information. These updates are typically made on an annual basis.
3. Finally, if you don't have a Member ID or External ID, Comsend will attempt to match based on member email addresses.

File Types

File types supported for members upload/import:

XLSX - can load member info having Hebrew or special characters (e.g., French accents)

XLS - can load member info having Hebrew or special characters 

CSV - In general, cannot load member info having Hebrew or special characters. This may be changed by modifying locale in regional settings (control panel) in local computer.

Mapping Fields

After staging your upload file, you'll need to confirm that the Comsend Member fields correspond to the column headers in your import file.  Usually the comparison is obvious depending on how you labeled your column headers. Be sure that all fields are properly mapped.

Pre-Load Import Log File Messages

The errors and attention notes that you may find in your report are as follows:

Error Messages	Errors are critical issues that must be corrected so you can import your member data
Issue	Message in Log File	Resolution
1. non_existent_member_ids	The following member IDs were not matched with any of your existing members: In cases of members to be added, the member IDs should be blank. In cases of members to be updated, the member IDs should be existing IDs.	You Member ID field contains IDs that are not part of your Comsend member list. It can be that these are IDs of another system, in which case they should be under the External ID column. You'll need to correct the IDs or delete them to continue.
2. duplicate_member_ids	Identical member IDs were found in multiple rows within your import file: Please correct them and try again	Each row in your import file should correspond to a single member familiy, so you'll need to remove the duplicates.
3. invalid_emails	The following invalid email addresses were identified in your import file: Please correct the email addresses and try again	In your import file, correct the invalid email address.
4. names_required_for_adding_members // check if first/last names are not imported (None in import drop down) and there are members to add	First and/or last names are required and must be imported when adding new members. Please import 'Member First Name' and/or 'Member Last Name' and try again.	Add the missing information.
5. empty_names_to_add	Members to be added with blank first and last names were identified within your import file. Please populate first/last names for members to add and try again.	When adding new members you must have First and Last names. Include the missing information.
6. matched_multiple	The following rows in your import file match multiple members: Please fix and try again.	Whether you chose to match by Member ID, External ID or email addresses, the information in the import file matched multiple member family records in Comsend. Review the row numbers in the Excel upload file, and search for the information in Comsend. Correct either in Comsend or in your Excel file before reloading.
7. Validation error (zzzzzzzzz) // "zzzzzzzzz" replaced with error_type listed below.	- invalid_id: Invalid Member ID - email: Invalid email address - shipping_type: Invalid shipping type - permission: Invailid permission type - categories: The same category is listed multiple times for the same member	Correct the invalid information.
Attention Messages	Important notes that you should review to confirm the information is correct.
Issue	Message in Log File	What to Check
1. new_categories	The following new category labels were identified in your import file:	Confirm that the Categories indicated are correct
2. duplicate_names_within_csv	Identical first/last names were found in multiple rows within your import file for:	Your import files have some rows with identical names, which may be ok, but you should check and confirm.
3. duplicate_names_against_db	The following members could not be matched (ID or email mismatch or missing) and will be added to the database:	Any member that can't be matched (via the Member ID, External ID, or email addresses, depending on your choice) will be added to the database. You should confirm that the new members are what you expected.

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