Importing Constituent Zip Codes

Robyn Halbert

When importing new constituents with addresses, none of the zip codes imported.  None of the zip codes on my import file start with 0, and I have changed the column to "text."  All of the other constituent information imported onto the records fine, it is just the zip codes that were left off.  What is the step that I am missing to import zip codes?

Aaron Rothberg

Hi Robyn-


Seeing as Raiser's Edge can import zip codes along with addresses, we would need more information about your specific experience to troubleshoot this any further. Did you get any exception errors during the import? Can you show us a screenshot of how you mapped your source file zip code field to Raiser's Edge zip code field? Is this your first attempt at importing zip codes or have you been successful at this same task in the past?



 

Robyn Halbert

This was my first time importing zip codes, which is why I'm sure I just missed a simple step somewhere.  There were no exceptions when I imported, and all of the constituent records were added with all of the other fields from the import.  The only thing missing was zip codes.  Here are the fields that I used:





 

JoAnn Strommen

I was wondering if that's what happened as it happened to me once with a piece of the address data. The "01" for the zip code is the problem. Imported it as a separate address. "00" data is all first address, "01" is second address and so on. All those extensions have to match up.


Aaron can explain better than I especially on easiest way to fix.

Alan French

The issue is the "01" extension next to your ZIP codes, it should have been 00 like the others - having the same extensions tells RE that all the fields belong to the same address. By using 01, RE thinks you want to import the ZIP codes to a different new address. Did you end up with a second new address on each record that was entirely blank except for the ZIP?

Robyn Halbert

Yes, a separate address that was blank except for the zip code was imported.  I didn't even realize that until I just checked.  I've never really paid attention to that extension column before.  Why/how did that happen?

Aaron Rothberg

Import does it's best to automatically number your extensions, but it does make mistakes from time to time.


For example, I just now opened Import and pointed towards an old import file and the extension numbers for email and phone were automatically added for me.

 

Robyn Halbert

That's so good to know.  Thank you for all of your input!