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Importing .csv format contacts

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I'm sure I must be missing something simple in this but ------- It appears the only effective way in which to import contacts into TBird address books is to first export a "template" of spreadsheet field names and then match those names to the data requiring to be imported. Is there no way of "mapping" the Address Book default field names to field names created in a spreadsheet? e.g. Address book "field" = Display Name whereas spreadsheet field name might = Full Name.

I'm sure I must be missing something simple in this but ------- It appears the only effective way in which to import contacts into TBird address books is to first export a "template" of spreadsheet field names and then match those names to the data requiring to be imported. Is there no way of "mapping" the Address Book default field names to field names created in a spreadsheet? e.g. Address book "field" = Display Name whereas spreadsheet field name might = Full Name.

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The mapping is done in the csv import window (see picture). For example, if I check the TB address book field Primary Email in the left column, I then click Move Up/Down until it aligns with the E-mail Address entry on the right column, from the imported csv. If I check Mobile Number in the left column, I then Move Up until it aligns with Mobile Phone in the right column.

If you edit the csv in a spreadsheet to make it look as close as possible to a csv exported from TB, there should be less need to do the mapping manually.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Import_address_list_from_text_file

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Chosen Solution

The mapping is done in the csv import window (see picture). For example, if I check the TB address book field Primary Email in the left column, I then click Move Up/Down until it aligns with the E-mail Address entry on the right column, from the imported csv. If I check Mobile Number in the left column, I then Move Up until it aligns with Mobile Phone in the right column.

If you edit the csv in a spreadsheet to make it look as close as possible to a csv exported from TB, there should be less need to do the mapping manually.

http://kb.mozillazine.org/Import_address_list_from_text_file

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Hi sfhowes,

Thank you so much for this response -- I knew I was missing something. How easy everything becomes when someone like you provides the solution.

Thanks again,

Ian

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I have a similar problem which these replies somewhat helped. I map the two columns ok. What data does import is correct, all the columns do not import to Thunderbird. The columns listed n the menu item on the right side do not include any of the additional headings. Is there a way to add these in the import? Common items in other email address.

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Which of the input columns can't be matched with a TB address book field? I seem to recall TB has problems importing a csv with more than 20(?) columns, so the best result is when you delete all unnecessary columns and arrange the rest to match TB, before doing the import.

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Using TB V68.4.2 (32 bit). Desktop is a 64 bit machine. The .csv file contains 14 columns. All 14 columns do map to the TB Import dialog import menu. I did move up/down items to match the Address book Fields and the Record data import. All matching are checked. The box is also checked for 'First record contains field names'. The import completes successfully without errors. Only 6 columns appear in the Address Book after loading and they are not sequential from the input. Appears to have dropped random columns. Clicking the drop down box at the right end of the column title line does not show the titles of the import to select what is displayed. Only the 6 of the items appear and can be selected. Should all 14 be displayed in the drop down menu? Should the first record have been used to create the selection menu? You mentioned to delete all unnecessary columns and arrange the rest to match TB before doing the import. Do you mean I should rearrange them in Excel to match the order of the left column on the Import menu then perform the import? Thank you for your help. DB

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The Address Book only allows up to 14 columns to be displayed, but the additional columns in your csv should be evident when you open (double-click) a contact and view the fields corresponding to those columns. For example, the Web Page on the Work tab isn't visible as a column, but if you aligned the records correctly, it should appear in the proper box in the contact's Properties. The matching of records is made easier by arranging the csv to match the left column of the import window, but you can't import the column names - only match them with the TB names.

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Thank you for your help. Looks like everything migrated correctly, just have to double click to see everything in the item. Thanks again. DB