Change the order of Constituent Codes in RE

Jill Freidmutter · May 2016

Is there a way to change the order of Constituent Codes in records that already have a number of them? We've never set up "primary" constituent codes, though I see the benefit of it. I'd like to attempt to create primary constituent codes -- move a constituent code into the first line -- in existing records. Thank you!

Jen Claudy · May 2016

Here's the Knowledgebase Article. Basically, delete the Code you want as the Primary, then Global Add it back as the Primary. You can probably do this with Import as well. I think I used Import...but it was 4.5 years ago when I did this last. (Just looked...you can Import...but read this first.)

Also, if you are thinking of using Gift Constituency in the future, that Field autopopulates with the Primary Constituent Code...so you may want to consider also updating that Field while you're at it.

And, in addition to backing up your database, test the whole process with a handful of records (I typically use a set of dummy records, so if something goes awry, I don't have to worry about fixing anything).

You may also find this definition of use:

What is the difference between Primary Constituency Information in Query and the primary constituent code on a constituent record?

The primary constituent code is the first code listed on the Bio 2 tab of the constituent record. The fields in the Primary Constituency Information category in Query consider only the first valid constituency code listed on a constituent's Bio 2 tab. If the first constituency code listed is no longer valid, subsequent constituency codes are considered until the first valid one is found.

Note: A Constituent Code that is no longer valid has an end date that has already passed.

Lauren Schler CFRE bCREPro · May 2016

I don’t think it’s possible to import a Primary Constituent code.
You can import a Constituent Code, but I haven’t found a way
to indicate that it’s Primary.

Lauren Schler CFRE bCREPro · May 2016

Yes, you can manually change the order if you’re not dealing with
too many records. Alternatively, you can query for records with a
particular constituent that you’d like to change (query for one
particular constituent code at a time), export the results being
sure to include either Constituent Import ID and/or Constituent ID
and Constituent Code. Save this as a csv file.

Next, use the query you just created with the Global Change
function (not Global Delete). Select to change Constituent Code and
the particular Constituent Code you want to reorder. Select the
operation of Delete. This will remove that Constituent Code from
the records you selected in the query.

Next create an attribute (this is will be a temporary attribute)
with a Yes/No output. Mark the attribute as “Only one allowed per
record.” Create a Constituent attribute import file from the csv
file you created using the following headers: ConsID or ImportID,
CAttrCat (this is the Category of the attribute you created),
CAttrDesc (this should be set to Yes). Import into RE.

Query on all records that have the attribute you just created with
the description of YES.

Once you’ve completed that, use the Globally Add function to add
the selected Constituent Code. Be sure to check the option to
add this constituent code as Primary. Do this for each
attribute you want to change. You may want to keep the temporary
attribute you created on the constituents’ records until you’ve
reordered everything so that you aren’t inadvertently adding over a
previously reset Primary Constituent Code. Records that you’ve just
updated can easily be removed from your original query (Constituent
Code = XYZ) with a query list.

Alan French · May 2016

Lauren Schler:

I don’t think it’s possible to import a Primary Constituent code. You can import a Constituent Code, but I haven’t found a way to indicate that it’s Primary.

Hi Lauren. If you use Global Add rather than Import, there is a tick box for Primary.

Jill Freidmutter · May 2016

Thank you all for fantastic info and suggestions! Now to create the hierarchy of constituent codes...

Jen Claudy · May 2016

According to the KB Article I linked to, and my own experience, you can Import a Primary Constituent Code...you just need to clean out all the Codes then Import them all in one file with the first one Imported for each Constituent being the Primary.

Change the order of Constituent Codes in RE

Comments

What is the difference between Primary Constituency Information in Query and the primary constituent code on a constituent record?

Categories