template for excel list import/new constituent records

There's no one-size-fits-all approach to this because everyone has different required fields in their database. For instance, my RE absolutely requires addressee/salutation, but yours may not be set up that way. 


The basic rule is that you need:

1.) Information for every required field in RE. This includes things like Constituent ID (leave the contents of this column blank if you just want RE to add IDs to the records) and Key Indicator

2.) RE variables for every piece of info you want to come into your database.


Note that you can't import gifts or actions and people at the same time. You'd need to start with one and then move on to the other. You can, however, import just about anything else, including phone numbers, attributes, addresses, etc.


Also, do you think anyone in your import file may already be in RE? There are lots of good threads on here about how to find duplicates in a massive list.


Edit: Try this thread for that last question: https://community.blackbaud.com/forums/viewtopic/159/33566?post_id=125040#p125040