How to format a file for importing contributions
You can import contribution data into the Redesigned Offering Module by creating a CSV file in the proper format and importing the records.
Creating an Import File
- The import file can have any name, but it must be saved in CSV (Comma-Separated Values) format.
- In Windows, it must have a .csv (comma separated value) extension.
- The file must contain contribution records only—no pledge records are accepted.
To view an example of an import file, see Import File Example.
After you create the file save it to your hard drive. Make note of where you save the file because you will need to locate it when you do the import.
Header Information
The first row of the import file contains the header. The header is required and must contain the following information:
To get a list of your Fund ID's (for the Contribution Data) and your Organization ID (for the header), see How to export a list of your funds. See this image for a sample of the output you can expect. Once you have the IDs, you will need to enter them in your online giving software, or contact your online giving software vendor for assistance.
Contribution Data
Contribution data immediately follows the header row. Each contribution record occupies a single row. The following tables detail the required and optional data in a contribution record.
Required Contribution Data
The data required in each contribution record is identified in the following table. If a given record is missing any of this data, the system cannot import it.
Note: The amount should not include a comma.
Click here to scroll down to the Optional Data information.
NOTE: Fund ID has been updated. You must update your fund ID to the correct one used in our Redesigned Offering Module. To get that new fund ID, see the article, How to export a list of your funds. Once you have the IDs, you will need to enter them in your online giving software or contact your online giving software vendor for assistance.
To get a list of your Fund ID's and your Organization ID (for the header), see How to export a list of your funds. See the following image for a sample of the output you can expect.
Optional Contribution Data
A contribution record can contain the data defined in the following table, but this data is not required. Note: do not add any of the words listed as optional in all caps.
Back to Required Contribution Table
Import File Example
The following illustration shows you an example of an import file containing contribution data from non-ParishSOFT systems. Note that the first row contains header information. The remaining rows in the file contain contribution data in the imported records: If your computer will not generate this image, please scroll down to the bottom of this article and click the attachment link. If the image does not display, scroll to the bottom of the article and click on the attachment which will show the image.
Comments
Are we still limited to Cash Check Credit for Contribution Type? PSFS allowed anything that was in our list. For example, I could use Other for my ACH imports from VANCO.
Is there anything in the works to allow importing contributions that use payment types other than "Credit" or "Check"? Everything else I tried (including "Cash") gets imported as "Cash - Unspecified" (or something to that affect). Thx
@Evan,
Although you cannot import pledge records, you can import contributions that are linked to a pledge (paying toward the pledge). That's where the Pledge ID comes in. If your contributions are toward a pledge, you may use the pledge ID in column I to show that the payment goes toward the pledge.
I'm not sure why you cannot view the image file. Perhaps trying a different browser would help.
resulting_table.png is not rendering correctly for me. It seems to be giving a HTTP 404 error.
https://support.parishsoft.com/hc/article_attachments/360059633691/Table_format_desc.png
HTTP ERROR 404
There is a typo in my comment earlier It should have said "no pledge records are accepted" Sorry for the confusion.
In the text of the article is says "no pledge records are not accepted". In the table above under "Optional Contribution Data" it indicates column I is for a Pledge ID. However in the sample XLS file "Generic_Import_Example.xlsx" column I is blank with no example data.
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