Contribution Import Utility

Hi Chandra,

We have used the import utility in the past for TF pledges and for our Day of Giving.  (It can also be used for credit card charges, but in our consortium, we haven’t come up with a good PCI compliant way to implement this yet.)   We have the contribution import set created with the basic information, so that we don’t have to modify anything there.  To create the import file I use an access database that formats the TF data into the contribution import format.  One table is the promoted source for each constituent.  I have it automated with VBA code so with a click of a button the data sheet from the TF call center is imported into Access.    Next an input box opens for the user to enter the contribution date, and her initials which is added to the note.  A query runs that includes the customer_no, source_no, contribution date, amount and note and it saves the import file as a csv file.  We then open this file and save it with a unique name as a txt file – it needs to be in that format.  There actually are 2 files, one at a level that gets an acknowledgement and one that doesn’t. 

A few things to beware of are quotation marks and commas in dollar amounts in the import file.  They will cause problems. 

When there is a high volume of pledges, the whole process of having the pledges completed entered and batches closed can be done in 5-10 minutes.  It certainly can be a time saver.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hope that helps.

T.C. Brown

Database Administrator

412.392.4834

From: Tessitura Development Forum [mailto:forums-development@tessituranetwork.com] On Behalf Of Chandra Asken
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2016 1:35 PM
To: TC Brown <TBrown@pittsburghsymphony.org>
Subject: [Tessitura Development Forum] Contribution Import Utility

We've just begun to look at this utility as we contemplate using it in our TF Call center.  Are any of you using it?  Attempted to use it? Have any insights prepping for the use of it?  Would love to hear about it.

Thanks,
Chandra 

This message was sent automatically to you by www.tessituranetwork.com because you subscribed to the Tessitura Development Forum. You may reply to this message to post to the Development forum or visit the site to search, read and post to the forums. In the interest of keeping the forum posts from becoming cluttered, we encourage you to delete previous message text from your reply before sending. Thank you!

Hi Chandra,

We have used the import utility in the past for TF pledges and for our Day of Giving.  (It can also be used for credit card charges, but in our consortium, we haven’t come up with a good PCI compliant way to implement this yet.)   We have the contribution import set created with the basic information, so that we don’t have to modify anything there.  To create the import file I use an access database that formats the TF data into the contribution import format.  One table is the promoted source for each constituent.  I have it automated with VBA code so with a click of a button the data sheet from the TF call center is imported into Access.    Next an input box opens for the user to enter the contribution date, and her initials which is added to the note.  A query runs that includes the customer_no, source_no, contribution date, amount and note and it saves the import file as a csv file.  We then open this file and save it with a unique name as a txt file – it needs to be in that format.  There actually are 2 files, one at a level that gets an acknowledgement and one that doesn’t. 

A few things to beware of are quotation marks and commas in dollar amounts in the import file.  They will cause problems. 

When there is a high volume of pledges, the whole process of having the pledges completed entered and batches closed can be done in 5-10 minutes.  It certainly can be a time saver.  Let me know if you have any other questions.

Hope that helps.

T.C. Brown

Database Administrator

412.392.4834

From: Tessitura Development Forum [mailto:forums-development@tessituranetwork.com] On Behalf Of Chandra Asken
Sent: Friday, October 07, 2016 1:35 PM
To: TC Brown <TBrown@pittsburghsymphony.org>
Subject: [Tessitura Development Forum] Contribution Import Utility

We've just begun to look at this utility as we contemplate using it in our TF Call center.  Are any of you using it?  Attempted to use it? Have any insights prepping for the use of it?  Would love to hear about it.

Thanks,
Chandra 

This message was sent automatically to you by www.tessituranetwork.com because you subscribed to the Tessitura Development Forum. You may reply to this message to post to the Development forum or visit the site to search, read and post to the forums. In the interest of keeping the forum posts from becoming cluttered, we encourage you to delete previous message text from your reply before sending. Thank you!