SchoolAdmin to Raiser's Edge

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Hi everyone!


I work in a JK-12 school, and we use SchoolAdmin to process applications for student entry.  Right now, to get the acceptances into Raiser's Edge, I enter everything manually after getting the printed contacts.  I would much prefer doing an export/import (even a series of them) to make my life easier.  And now I finally have all the necessary people on board.


Does anyone do this?  I could use a template/needed columns/order of import/etc. etc. etc. 


As a side note, if I could get any information on getting the information into Financial Edge as well, I would be very grateful.


Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • Robert Brown:

    Hi everyone!


    I work in a JK-12 school, and we use SchoolAdmin to process applications for student entry.  Right now, to get the acceptances into Raiser's Edge, I enter everything manually after getting the printed contacts.  I would much prefer doing an export/import (even a series of them) to make my life easier.  And now I finally have all the necessary people on board.


    Does anyone do this?  I could use a template/needed columns/order of import/etc. etc. etc. 


    As a side note, if I could get any information on getting the information into Financial Edge as well, I would be very grateful.


    Thanks in advance!

    Robert,

    Check out this Knowledgebase article, https://kb.blackbaud.com/articles/Article/55008, which will lead you to the help area.  Search for Import Tables, and then there are links you can click to open each kind of import's list.  However, you might want to also consider using Export to help you find what you need specifically for the fields you want.  If you export the fields from even just one records, the import headers will be right there in your export info. 


    Also, here's the Import User Guide, which I have found super helpful as well.  https://www.blackbaud.com/howto/raisers-edge-7.aspx, then scroll down to the Admin section on the left side of the columns, and look for the link for "Import."


    Other things to remember:  For your first one, make sure you have a good backup available before you do anything.  Try your setup and import with just a few records before the whole batch.  That way, if you mess something up, or map to the wrong field, etc., it's easier to fix than if you import all 100 records and mess up something.


    Another thought - consider alternate methods, such as batch entry, to make sure you are using the best method.  I work in a non-school setting, so I don't know what kinds of thing s you are entering, but perhaps even getting started through a constituent batch would help ease your entry.  There's also a plug in called Importacular, which I have just learned about, which might be useful as well, but I know nothing about it yet.


    Good luck!

  • Robert Brown:

    Hi everyone!


    I work in a JK-12 school, and we use SchoolAdmin to process applications for student entry.  Right now, to get the acceptances into Raiser's Edge, I enter everything manually after getting the printed contacts.  I would much prefer doing an export/import (even a series of them) to make my life easier.  And now I finally have all the necessary people on board.


    Does anyone do this?  I could use a template/needed columns/order of import/etc. etc. etc. 


    As a side note, if I could get any information on getting the information into Financial Edge as well, I would be very grateful.


    Thanks in advance!

    Hi Robert

    I would agree with Heather that a good place to start would be to create an import file using the import function. Choose the fields that you will want to import and then create a file. Do this on a test record! This should get you on the way to creating a bespoke import template for future iterations.

    The articles in Heather's post will also let you know of any required fields that you may need to generate - e.g. import IDs

    If this isn't working for you, there are a number of import plug-ins that you can use, ranging from free to subscription e.g. Importacular, Import-o-matic, etc.

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