How do I import a database?

Steps for importing a database

Procedure

  1. Navigate to Import New.
  2. Enter a new name for the database in the Name field.
  3. Click Select to choose a Private or Shared location for the database.
  4. Select the database type from the drop-down list.
  5. Select a Flexible Database or Restricted Database.
  6. Select a radio button to choose to upload a file from a local hard drive or to choose a file previously uploaded to Stored Files. Click Browse to select the file.
  7. From the drop-down list, select one of the following three delimiter file types to import:
    • CSV (comma-separated values)
    • TSV (tab-separated value)
    • PSV (pipe-separated values)
  8. Click Next.

Defining the data format

Step 2 in importing a database is defining the data format.

About this task

Define Data Format presents the data according to the delimiter selected (CSV, TSV, or PSV). Only the first few rows and columns of the file being imported will display. Confirm that the data has processed correctly.

Note: If all the data displays in one column, verify whether the correct delimiter file type (CSV, TSV, or PSV) was selected in Step 1, Select File above.
import a database step 2

In the illustration above, the field names in the database are: Email, first name, and last name. To prevent these headings from being imported as contact data, check the box next to First Row Contains Field Names. Checking this box allows default field mapping when possible. The first row of information-the field names-will be disabled and will not be part of the file import. If the first row of data does not contain field names, do not select this check box.

Acoustic Campaign supports UTF-8 character set data at the database level, however, you must also ensure that the actual file itself is authored in the UTF-8 character set.

For system fields with date values and fields that you will assign the Date type in the next step, you may need to use the Date Field Formatting option. If the dates in your file are formatted differently from mm/dd/yyyy, choose the appropriate formatting. Examples below are based on the date January 2, 2016.

Procedure

  1. Select which portion of the date value comes first in your file. Choose either month first, day first, or year first.
  2. Select the formatting for each element.
    First Choice Example
    month mm 01
    month m 1
    month mon Jan
    month month January
    day dd 02
    day d 2
    year yyyy 2016
    year yy 16
  3. Type the separators that go between each of the date elements. The separators can be up to tow characters in length, and the following characters are valid
    Punctuation Punctuation Mark
    Period .
    Comma ,
    Question Mark ?
    Space  
    Forward Slash /
    • You can clear the settings at any time.
    • You have a sample date that updates as you change the settings.
    • Date value combinations such as January 32nd, 2016 will be converted to February 1st, 2016 during import.

    When the data job begins, all date values will be converted from your format to the Acoustic Campaign format.

  4. Click Next.

Mapping fields

Step 3 in importing a database is mapping fields.

About this task

You must map the fields when importing a file to create a brand new database. You first need to decide which fields, if any, will not be included in the new database. These fields will be ignored. For each field to include in the new database, you will be asked to choose a field type. You can either map the fields in the imported database or import a file into an existing database.

  • One field must be mapped to the system field called Email. Be sure that Email is selected as a Field Type from a drop-down menu under Database Fields.
  • All segmenting fields must include numeric data only. If text is found in a segmenting field, the record is no imported.
  • For the date formatting selections made in the prior step to be active, date fields must be labeled with a date type.

Procedure

  1. To map fields in an imported database, do the following.
    1. Check Ignore next to the field number of any field that you do not want to include when importing to the new database.
    2. For each unchecked field, choose a Field Type from the drop-down list.

      Selecting System Fields creates a selection in New Database Field. For example, selecting Email under Field Type presents a selection of system field names in the New Database Field box.

    3. Type in the Database Fields Name (if it isn't a system field). This will be the field name for the field in the new database.
    4. Click Add Field.
  2. To import a file to an existing database, do the following.

    If you are importing a file to an existing database, each field in the file will appear in a table.

    1. Check Ignore next to the field # of any field you do not want to include when importing to the existing database.
    2. For each field that is not selected, choose a Field Type from the existing database using the drop-down menu in the Database Fields column.
    3. If there is a new field to add from the file to the database, type the field name and select a Field Type from the drop-down menu.
    4. Click Add Field.
    5. Click Next.

Editing field settings

Step 4 in importing a database is editing field settings.

Procedure

  1. Edit the default fields or any new fields.
    1. Click the Edit link next to any field name to change its settings. Settings you can edit include:
      • Field Name
      • Required Status - check if the field is required
      • Field Type - choose from the drop-down list
      • Default Value - value assigned to the field if it is empty
    2. Click Save.
  2. (Optional) Edit the unique identifiers (UID). This cannot be done after the database is created. If you wish to keep email as the UID for this database, click Next and skip the following steps.
    1. Click Edit Unique Identifiers.
      • To assign fields as unique identifiers, select the Unique identifier needed button, and then select the check boxes next to the desired fields (you can choose up to ten UIDs)
      • To sync this database with your CRM system, choose the No unique identifier is needed option.
    2. Click Save when you are done.
    3. Click Next and then click Submit to begin the import data job.

      To receive email notification when the job's status is complete, select the Upon completion of the data job , send an email notification to the address below check box, enter your email address, and click Submit.

      Use the Data Jobs screen to check the status any time.