Chapter 5. Collecting, Organizing, and Importing Data
It's all about the data, right? You can have the latest and greatest software tools available, perfectly customized to meet the needs of your organization; but if your data is incomplete, virtually non-existent, or just plain lousy, all of those wonderful tools will mean nothing.
In the previous chapter, we walked through the ins and outs of the CiviCRM interface, understanding the different types of records that will be attached to contacts. However, how do we collect data, organize it, and import it into the system?
In this chapter we will:
Create custom data fields to store data
Organize data fields in profiles for the purpose of creating online forms and other tools
Integrate profile forms with membership, event, and contribution pages
Update multiple contact records at once
Import contact records and activities from an external source
