Bulk Uploading Connections with the Apex Data Loader

The Apex Data Loader is currently the only way to bulk upload Connections into HandsOn Connect.  This walks you through connecting a list of Contacts to a specific Occurrence.  The tutorial assumes that you have basic knowledge of Salesforce reporting and that you have set up the Apex Data Loader.

Create a report of the Contacts that you want to create Connections for

Create a report of the Contacts that you want to create Connections for

Create a report using the "Contacts & Organizations" type.  Make sure that the report has the Contact ID field in it.  Any other fields that you need to help you be sure you are getting the right Contacts can also be added.  Set up any filters that you need to get only the Contacts that you need.  If you know that you bulk uploaded all of the Contacts that you need on a specific day, you may want to limit the Created Date to that day.  When you have run the report, click "Export Details."  Export File Format should be "Comma Delimited .csv."  Click Export.

Create a Connections template sheet.

Create a Connections template sheet.

Create a new spreadsheet with the following 6 columns: Contact, Volunteer Opportunity, Occurrence, Status, Attendance Status, and Role.  Copy Contact ID from the exported report into the Contact column.  Status should be Confirmed.  Attendance Status should be whatever is appropriate, most likely Please Verify.  Role should be either Volunteer or Volunteer Leader.

Adding the Volunteer Opportunity ID to the sheet.

Adding the Volunteer Opportunity ID to the sheet.

Log into Salesforce and go to the Volunteer Opportunity you wish to connect the Contacts to.  The Volunteer Opportunity ID is the last 15 characters of the URL address, up to but not including the slash.  Copy that string into the Volunteer Opportunity column on your spreadsheet.

Getting the Occurrence ID in the sheet.

Getting the Occurrence ID in the sheet.

Now go to the Occurrence of that Volunteer Opportunity that you wish to connect the Contacts to.  In this case, the Occurrence ID is the 18 character string between the slash and the question mark.  Copy that string and paste it into your spreadsheet.  Then, save your spreadsheet in CSV format.

Open the Apex Data Loader and Insert Records

Open the Apex Data Loader and Insert Records

Open your Apex Data Loader and press the insert button.  For the first Data Loader operation, you will be asked to log in.  Enter your Salesforce Username and Password.  REMEMBER TO APPEND YOUR SECURITY TOKEN TO THE END OF THE PASSWORD.  Click Login, then click Next.

Select the object and file

Select the object and file

Select Connection in the Salesforce object list.  Then click browse to find the file you just created.  Then click Next.

Create the field mapping

Create the field mapping

On the Mapping screen press "Create or Edit Map."  On the screen that pops up, click "Auto-Match Fields to Columns" then click "OK."  The window will close and you will be back on the Mapping screen.  Click Next.

Select log location

Select log location

On the Finish screen, click Browse and find the directory where you want to store the success and error logs.  Then click Finish.  Your Connections should then be loaded into HandsOn Connect.

0 Comments

Add your comment

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.