Help -- Training -- Explanations -- Hints

This is the processing screen for "Importing Unregistered Users".

Unregistered Users are people who have not already been added to your MemberLink® system either by an Administrator or by the self-registering process. (Most churches turn the self-registering process off and don't allow it.)

Basically, you can Import from a spreadsheet anyone who is not already in the system -- and people not in the system but coming in through the Import process are considered "unregistered users" until the Import is completed.

Here are the six easy steps to Import contacts (people) using the spreadsheet approach:

Step 1: Import Instructions

Before you attempt to Import any new people into your MemberLink® system, please take a look at the instructions provided to you. There is a line that reads, "Complete instructions for importing are included on this page, click here."

Click on the on this page, click here hyperlink to see the definition of what can be processed by the Import function, and what formatting is required to be successful. These instructions show you what data can be automatically brought into the system.

Step 2: The "Test" Switch

Next, in the middle of the screen on the left side, you will see the "Test Only?" Checkbox. Always turn on this Checkbox THE FIRST TIME you attempt to Import a file. With this Checkbox turned on, the Import process will perform a test against the .CSV file to ensure the basics and the formatting is correct. It will identify errors in the spreadsheet file so that you can correct those before doing the actual Import.

Once you get a clean "test", you can turn the Checkbox off and proceed with the Import.

Step 3: Specify Spreadsheet Option

You have two spreadsheet format options for Import:

- "Regular" is the option described in "Step 1" instructions, above. "Regular" assumes you are not Importing people from OutreachLink®.

- "ORC/OutreachLink" is the option to use if you have Exported people into a spreadsheet from OutreachLink® to then Import them into MemberLink®. If you have been tracking "prospects and visitors" with the OutreachLink® system from CAA Ministries, you can bring some of that data into MemberLink® without needing to re-enter it.

After you have selected the appropriate format, proceed to "Step 4".

Step 4: Updating with Unique Identifier

If you are using the spreadsheet to bring in additional data for people already registered, please click the [Help ?] button associated with Unique Identifier and read the instructions. If you are not, leave the setting at "None".

Step 5: Choose Import File

Under "Choose Import File", click the [Browse] button. Prior to clicking, the box to the right will say "No file selected."

Select the .CSV spreadsheet format file from somewhere on your computer. Previously you will have prepared this file for use by the Import function to match the instructions in "Step 1". After you select it, the file name will be displayed in the area to the right of the [Browse] button.

Step 6: Import "Test" & Import

If this is your first attempt with this file, make sure the "Test Only?" switch is checked -- see "Step 2". Then you are ready to click the [Import Unregistered Users] button.

In test mode, you will see if there are any format errors. If there are not, you will see another button to "proceed" with the actual Import.

If not in test mode, clicking the [Import Unregistered Users] button will perform the actual Import of data.

"CAA Product Help" from CAA Ministries at Support@CAAsoftware.com or 404-551-4230