How to properly import existing member list?

[boulderjoe]

Hello,

I was wondering if there is a way to import an existing list of members from say an Excel spreadsheet, in .CSV format or whatever is needed. If yes, is this only available on Pro?

Second, if I import this listing with existing additional fields (address, t-shirt size, etc) will those fields be automatically created in a database somewhere?

Will those new fields automatically get added to the registration form, or how would that need to be handled?

I would like to know how to properly import an existing list of site members and preserve the existing data regarding address, phone, etc - is this handled via import wizard in the Pro version?

Thanks - I already bought one member management plug-in that ultimately couldn't handle this simple task, so just trying to avoid wasting anymore money.

Also, does anyone know how well S2member integrates with simplePress forums?

[Cristián Lávaque]

Hi Joe.

Yes, s2Member Pro has an Import tool you can use for this. WP Admin -> s2Member -> Import / Export -> User/Member Import Files

You create the custom fields here WP Admin -> s2Member -> General Options -> Custom Registration Fields.

You'd create the custom fields first first and then import. I suggest you export first to see the format then then populate the CSV to import.

About SimplePress, a couple of users reported it being simple to use with s2Member viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1128

I hope that helps.

[boulderjoe]

Hi Cristian,

Okay, I purchased the Pro level and created custom fields. A couple notes you might want to change in a future release, but perhaps I am doing something wrong as well.

1) I created several custom fields and went to export members as you suggested. The file did not contain any of the custom field headers in the file - is that right?

2) Thinking perhaps I needed to add a new member that had entries in all custom fields, I created a new member with values in all custom fields. I exported my members again and the new member had the right values in the custom fields, but again the custom field headers (unique ID) are not showing in the exported .csv file. Do I need to manually place them into the exported file so it gets properly imported when I add all the data for existing members?

I would really expect the unique IDs to be output into the exported .csv file, but perhaps I'm doing something wrong? Okay, actually looking more closely I see that custom fields did export, but in a very strange format - horizontal instead of more of a custom field serving as a column title - is this correct?

For instance:

city_state boulder, co emer_contact yell loud 555-I'm screwed

If that is the correct format I guess I need to copy the unique ID like "city_state" down so it is before each entry I copy and paste from my existing membership file?

Thanks.

Oh, and it appears will work nicely with simplePress.

[Cristián Lávaque]

Thanks for confirming the SimplePress compatibility.


About the CSV format, yes, that's how it is in the current version, although it may change in a future one, Jason is working on improving it.

Basically, the fields are exported when a user has them, so if the user doesn't have fields populated, they don't come up in the file, if he has some with values, only those come up. Since one member may have a field exported that doesn't match the field another user has, but they are in the same column, instead of using a column header, the tool exports them in pairs: field name, field value.

If you look at the Import tool's documentation, you'll find this example:

Additional extended information can also be included; even Custom Fields:
"ID","Username","Password","First Name","Last Name","Display Name","Email","Website","Level[0-4] or Role ID","Custom Capabilities","Registration Date ( mm/dd/yyyy )","First Payment Date ( mm/dd/yyyy )","Last Payment Date ( mm/dd/yyyy )","Auto-EOT Date ( mm/dd/yyyy )","Custom Value ( starts w/domain )","Paid Subscr. ID","Paid Subscr. Gateway","Custom Field ID #1","Custom Field Value #1","Custom Field ID #2","Custom Field Value #2", ...

I hope that helps.

[boulderjoe]

Hi Cristian,

Yes, that confirmation does help, but two new questions:

1) Can I import my existing members with the username left blank? If not, how can I handle/allow existing members the ability to create their username without them having to fill out all their existing data I can import?

2) You mention in your instructions for import that it can import a .csv file, but that all entries are required to be quotes? How do you normally accomplish this since most programs save a .csv exactly as that a comma separated file without quotes.

Thanks.

[Cristián Lávaque]

1. The username is required. You could ask your members to tell you what username they want, or just pick the name they used for their email address, or their FirstLastname together.

2. You can make Microsoft Office Exel or OpenOffice Calc quote the values. It works without the quotes too.

[boulderjoe]

Hi Cristian,

I have tried to import without the commas and no luck - is there a way I can send you a sample file?

Hmm, that is a little problematic with the usernames.. might be easier just to have everyone register versus picking one for them. I'll have to see what the existing members would like - can it be changed within the WP database?

Joe

[Cristián Lávaque]

Yes, you can edit it in the database later, but there isn't an interface in WP Admin for that, you'll need to use phpMyAdmin or something.

You could have them create the account with the most basic information and then you flesh out their profiles with the data you have.

[boulderjoe]

Hi Cristian,

Okay, thanks.

My file still is not importing, can I email a sample somewhere?

A couple other questions:

1) Is there a tutorial somewhere on integrating with MailChimp?

2) If I import members will those emails automatically be added to the specified MailChimp list?

3) Where can add or change the text of the membership registration form so I can add a line like:

Please use your first and last name together for your username, like BobSmith

Or conversely is there a way to utilize the first and last name they enter to do this automatically so avoid interjection of weird data?

Thanks for all your support.

[Cristián Lávaque]

1) http://www.s2member.com/api-list-servers-video/ You'll find some new features in the latest version of s2Member that weren't available when the video was created. WP Admin -> s2Member -> API / List Servers -> Automate Un-Subscribe/Opt-Outs

2) I think not, but you can test it and see if it does.

3) If you'll use that format, you could do it yourself in the CSV to import the new accounts.