The Patron Import - CSV task is used to import patron data for a list of patrons. Imported data can include core patron attributes, patron address fields, and custom patron attributes.

Data is imported by two files—an Import data file (.csv format) and a Configuration file (.ini format). Both files should be stored on a server that hosts the Quartz scheduler.

The following patron core attributes, address fields, and custom attributes can be imported:

Patron Core Attributes:    

•     IDNUMBER

•     IDNUMBER

•     ALT_IDNUMBER

•     NEW_IDNUMBER

•     CARDNUMBER

•     FIRSTNAME

•     MIDDLENAME

•     LASTNAME

•     NICKNAME

•     PICTUREPATH

•     BIRTHDAY

•     GENDER

•     BOX_NUM

•     EMAIL

•     HOMEPAGE

•     PREFERREDNAME

Patron Address Attributes:

•     ADDRID

•     ADDRACTION

•     ADDRNAME

•     ADDRLN1

•     ADDRLN2

•     CITY

•     STATE

•     ZIP

•     COUNTRY

•     ADDRPHONE

•     ADDREXT

•     ADDRFAX

•     ADDRPUBLISHPHONE

•     ADDRPRIMARYPHONE

•     ADDREMAIL

Patron Custom Attributes:

•     CUSTATTR

•     ATTRSTART

•     ATTREND

•     ATTRVALUE

Patron Import - CSV Task Considerations

•     An import requires a Configuration file (.ini) and an Import (data) file (.csv).

o  Configuration file (.ini): This file contains directives and is used to map fields within the Import (data) file to ResCenter.

o  Import (data) file (.csv): This file contains the actual data values to be imported.

•     CBORD recommends placing the files (especially the Configuration file) in a folder that is backed up on a regular basis.

•     Path and file names are defined by the user and must be valid for the Microsoft Windows operating system. CBORD recommends using the following extensions:

o  Configuration file: Use .ini.

o  Import (data) file: Use .csv.

•     A Configuration file has an Options section, Format section, and Fields section.  These sections can be displayed in any order.

•     Delimited files are commonly referred to as comma-separated value (CSV) files.

•     The delimiter you choose to separate your data can be any length and made up of any printable characters. Comma and Tab are explicitly supported through keywords.

•     All characters use ASCII encoding; Unicode encoding is not supported.

•     All lines end with a carriage return or carriage return + line feed.

•     Do not use tabs or tab characters in any section of the Delimited file. The only exception is using tab as your specified delimiter.

•     Comments are indicated by a pound (#) character. Inline comments are allowed in the Configuration file, but not in the Import (data) file.

Patron Import - CSV Task Settings

The Patron Import - CSV task contains the following settings:

•     INI File Path: Enter a file path to the INI configuration file. For example:

•     CSV File Path: Enter a file path to the CSV import file. For example: