[sims] Import Emails from Spreadsheet

[Arcath]

I have used SalamaderSDS to output all the pupils from SIMS, none of which have emails or usernames. My own PowerShell scripts have assigned each pupil a unique username based on cohort and initials etc... as well as creating the groups and OUS for them. It also puts the usernames/emails back in the SDS output so they can be used with SDS.

 

My problem now is that I had to do a couple of manual tweaks to the data to avoid some duplicate names which the scripts account for and of course if I re-run SalamanderSDS it will output without the usernames and I'll have to merge them in.

 

So the best solution here would be to put the emails back into SIMS now that I have them. I know they should be Section 4 of the pupils data but I'm a bit stuck at what the spreadsheet needs as its column headings to make that work. Can SIMS handle partial data? e.g. can I just give the adminssion number and the email?

[MikeW]

I've used Sims Bulk Import written by @matt40k to perform similar jobs in the past. https://simsbulkimport.uk/

[Boredguy]

This was the information we got regarding how to create the CSV for the SIMS own bulk import

 

Creating a CSV File for Import:

 

The CSV file can contain as many fields as required but as a minimum for import, the file must contain:

Surname and Forename; or

UPN; or

Admission Number

 

Telephone Number (a column should be created for each type, e.g. home, work, mobile)

Email Address (a column should be created for each type, e.g. home, work).

 

Each data field must be created as an individual column. When creating a pupil/student's email addresses and/or telephone numbers import file, the Admission No. and UPN must be included in the spreadsheet to enable successful matching.

[dfinney695]

Boredguy, would you happen to have a correctly formatted csv you could share.

 

Dont fancy having to go back in by hand and fix incorrect options. Ive heard if you make a mistake and try imorting again it just added a new email and dosent fix the original.

[ajp233]

You can now import email addresses directly into SIMS without the use of patches. The routine is under Routines > Data In > Student Data > Import from Spreasheet. It is then just a matter of mapping columns in your spreadsheet to the relevant fields in SIMS.

[dfinney]

Yeah ajp233, ive read the help file but it doesn't tell you what way to format the columns.(see attached)

 

I assume you need to label the columns "Pupils email address - Work", i dont really want to try an import and have to manually go back and fix them if it's wrong.

 

 

[ajp233]

Yes - label the email columns howerver you want such as Email address - work

 

 

And when using the import wizard in SIMS you have the option to specify if the column is for the Work or Home email, and whether to make it Main/Primary/Both

 

[dfinney]

Thanks, i don't understand why they don't go through this in the help files.

 

I'll give this a go when we start back.