Update Contacts with External Identifier
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    Update Contacts with External Identifier

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    Article summary

    Goal​

    To update contact profiles in Mapp Engage with an import file that uses an external identifier.

    Background Information​

    In the contact profile, the ​External Identifier​ attribute stores an extra ID in the Mapp Engage system. This ID can be, for example, generated by an external CRM system. The external identifier can contain both letters and numbers.

    You can update contact data in Mapp Engage with the external identifier as the primary value for contact identification or as the only value for contact identification.

    When you import with an external identifier, you can change the address of a contact without any need to delete existing data or create a second profile.

    Please note that performing an import with external identifiers only does not work for creating new users. Creating a new user in the database requires at least one standard identifier (like email, mobile, or fax) alongside your unique user.identifier.

    Example:

    Joe has the external identifier 123456 and the email address joe@gmail.com. Joe changes his email address to joe123@yahoo.com, and this change is registered in your CRM system. When you import the file with the method described here, Joe's external identifier remains 123456 and his email address is updated to joe123@yahoo.com in Mapp Engage. Joe's profile data, message history, and membership history are not affected.

    In a CSV file, the external identifier has the header field user.identifier.

    In an XML file, the external identifier is contained in the identifier element.

    The procedure described here is appropriate in the following situations:

    • File: You have an import file that contains only the external identifier, and not a contact address (email address, mobile number, or mobile app alias), for each contact.Goal: You want to update the contact profiles using only the external identifier.

    • File: You have an import file that contains an external identifier and a contact address (email address, mobile number, or mobile app alias) for each contact.Goal: You want to use the external identifier as the primary means of contact identification. If the address in the file and the address in Mapp Engage are different, Mapp Engage overwrites the existing address with the address from the file. The external identifier always remains the same.

    Hint:

    If you want to use an external identifier as the primary means of contact identification, every contact must have a unique ID. Otherwise, problems with data management can arise. Note, however, that Mapp Engage does not validate whether the external identifiers that you import are unique. It is therefore technically possible for multiple contacts in Mapp Engage to have the same external identifier. However, we strongly advise against it

    Prerequisites​

    1. The import file has one of the following file formats: CSV or XML. The import file must be formatted correctly. For more information, see:

    2. The import file contains the external contact ID.

      • In a CSV file, the external identifier has the header field user.identifier.

      • In an XML file, the external identifier is contained in the identifier element.

    The import file can also contain address information (email address, mobile number, or mobile app alias) for each contact.

    Procedure​

    You can import a file that uses the contact ID manually, or with an automation.

    Manual Import​

    For instructions, see ​Import Contacts​.

    When you set up the import, expand the ​Advanced Options​ area.

    Select the ​Use External Identifier​ check box.

    Automated Import

    For more information, see ​Import Contacts.

    1. In the ​Main Navigation​, click ​Automation​.

    2. Click the ​Time-based​ tab.

    3. Click the ​New Automation​ button.

    4. Create a name for the automation.

    5. From the drop-down list ​Job​, select ​Import Contacts​.

    6. Enter the import details.

    7. Click theAdditional Parameters​ button.
      ⇒Two input fields appear.

    8. In the first input field, enter source-use-customeridentifier. In the second input field, enter true. These commands tell Mapp Engage to import the data and use the external identifier. These commands are case-sensitive.

    9. To define the date and time of import, click the ​Schedule​ button. For more information, see ​Schedule Time-Based Automation (window)​.

    10. Click the ​Save & Activate​ button.
      ⇒The automation is active. Import takes place at the scheduled times.


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