Mapping customization in Business Contact Manager?

[Taylor R via OfficeKB.com]

I am trying to change the mapping process when I import from Microsoft Excel.
The fields that are in my excel spreadsheet are in no way close to the
defaults that are mapped under the accounts field in BCM. Is there any way
that I can change the default mapping, and customize it to my needs? For
example: I have thousands of doctor accounts that have expiration dates and
such, and I cannot import them into BCM properly because I need an expiration
field. I have looked for a couple of hours and have found nothing. Hope my
question was clear. Thanks.

 

[Luther]

I think your question is can you add custom fields and the answer is
no.

There is no default mapping for imports from excel, but BCM will
remember the mappings the next time you import a file with the same
name.

 

[Guest]

Taylor,

If you are willing to map fields in the spreadsheet to unrelated items (such
as 'status' into 'department', etc.), then you might be able to come up with
something. However, I've found that is not a good alternative.

Unfortunately, you cannot map custom fields in either contacts or BCM.
While you can use custom fields in contacts, you cannot use them in BCM.
Interestingly enough, you can create custom fields in BCM, but you cannot
enter data into the fields. That is particularly useful.

I had the same problem. If you have a small amount of data (maybe less than
100 records), you can do some manual stuff in contacts.

I used the 'concatenate' function in excel and combined all of the
miscellanous fields into one text string (it was less than 255 characters in
total). Then I mapped the data into 'Notes'. I created custom fields in
Contacts, then I cut/pasted the information into the custom fields. Now, you
can only use custom fields in 'table' view, but I created a view which
allowed me to sort on specific custom fields. Then I double click to add
data as I get it. Unfortunately, I have no easy way to do phone logs,
opportunity logs, etc.

So, the bottom line is that BCM has several great features, but the
shortcomings with no flexibility make it worthless for many people.

Contacts has some flexibility, but none of the great features of BCM.

For me, I can only use contacts. I'm so glad I upgraded to get BCM.

Good Luck. (of course, if someone believes that my response is innacurate,
please respond. I'm still searching for a way to use BCM.)

 

[Taylor R via OfficeKB.com]

Thanks for the help. THat is what I feared, but I will just have to manage
some other way. At least I don't have to look for answers anymore. Thanks
again!

Taylor,

If you are willing to map fields in the spreadsheet to unrelated items (such
as 'status' into 'department', etc.), then you might be able to come up with
something. However, I've found that is not a good alternative.

Unfortunately, you cannot map custom fields in either contacts or BCM.
While you can use custom fields in contacts, you cannot use them in BCM.
Interestingly enough, you can create custom fields in BCM, but you cannot
enter data into the fields. That is particularly useful.

I had the same problem. If you have a small amount of data (maybe less than
100 records), you can do some manual stuff in contacts.

I used the 'concatenate' function in excel and combined all of the
miscellanous fields into one text string (it was less than 255 characters in
total). Then I mapped the data into 'Notes'. I created custom fields in
Contacts, then I cut/pasted the information into the custom fields. Now, you
can only use custom fields in 'table' view, but I created a view which
allowed me to sort on specific custom fields. Then I double click to add
data as I get it. Unfortunately, I have no easy way to do phone logs,
opportunity logs, etc.

So, the bottom line is that BCM has several great features, but the
shortcomings with no flexibility make it worthless for many people.

Contacts has some flexibility, but none of the great features of BCM.

For me, I can only use contacts. I'm so glad I upgraded to get BCM.

Good Luck. (of course, if someone believes that my response is innacurate,
please respond. I'm still searching for a way to use BCM.)

I am trying to change the mapping process when I import from Microsoft Excel.
The fields that are in my excel spreadsheet are in no way close to the

[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]

field. I have looked for a couple of hours and have found nothing. Hope my
question was clear. Thanks.