You are here: Chapter 7: Configuration and Administration > Address Book Administration > Populating the Address Book > Optional Features for Address Book Imports

Optional Features

You can configure the following optional features:

[email protected]=Widget==212-555-3232

Notice the two equals signs, "==" to represent afield with no data.

Missing data is represented by commas in CSV files as shown below:

Smith,Bob,[email protected],Widget,,212-555-3232

Note

Mandatory fields must contain data or, if the import fails, contain the exception described below under Field Count Test. Mandatory fields are indicated in red in the Schema. To import data with missing information, temporarily make the fields optional on the Edit Address Book Fields page. After the import is complete, change the fields back to mandatory. Optional fields must still be accounted for with empty delimiters.

For example, if the load file was created in Microsoft Excel, the CSV file created by Excel does not provide comma characters for null fields at the end of the data line. For this case, we have provided an option to skip the Field Count Test. If you select this option, you can submit a load file without the trailing commas normally required for optional, empty fields. By skipping this test, there is a risk that your data may not load properly, so be careful in preparing your data.

The following example shows a record using the schema above that is acceptable when the Field Count Test is skipped:

Smith,Bob,[email protected],Widget

Note

Notice that the trailing commas for the two final optional fields (Phone and Fax) are missing.  When a CSV file is created by Excel, commas are never included for empty trailing columns even if the fields are normally required by FootPrints.  By skipping the Field Count Test, a CSV file created from Excel can be used without editing it to add the trailing commas.

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