[Koha] Problem in importing Patron Records

[Elaine Bradtke]

I have to set up a system to convert information from our membership
list into patron files on a monthly basis to catch expired
memberships. I run the file through a database called Cardbox for
batch editing. Cardbox exports have never cause any problems with csv
formatting before.
As an experiment, I ran the Cardbox csv file through (an old version
of) excel and exported a new csv file.  But it didn't help, and in
fact broke the date formatting (deleting the zero padding).

We are using the same date format as is set in our system preferences
(dd/mm/yyyy).  For some patrons there is no expiration date (life
members). Would this be a problem - are expiration dates required?
Must I convert it to yyyy-mm-dd ? (the notes on patron import seem to
imply it's OK to use your specified date format).
Elaine
On Wed, Nov 21, 2012 at 8:36 PM, Uy nguyễn quốc
<nguyenquocuy_1102 at yahoo.com> wrote:
> So u have the same error as i had. I'm using Koha on Ubuntu. If u try to open file with excel in windows, then save file as .csv, then import, i think there is no error more. If u use in ubuntu, or debian, should follow what i said before. Open .csv file with Libre Calc (it may ask for default- seperated by semicolon and comma, choose those values), then fill it, save as .ods file, then open .ods file, save as new .csv file. U can import this .csv file. Good luck
> On 22 Nov 2012, at 00:30, Elaine Bradtke wrote:
>
>> Here's what I'm getting (in 3.08.05):
>> Feedback:
>>
>> Parsing upload file Patron upload test2.csv
>> Content-Type : application/octet-stream
>> Content-Disposition : form-data; name="uploadborrowers";
>> filename="Patron upload test2.csv"
>> headerrow : CARDNUMBER, SURNAME, FIRSTNAME, TITLE, INITIALS, ADDRESS,
>> ADDRESS2, CITY, ZIPCODE, COUNTRY, EMAIL, PHONE, BRANCHCODE,
>> CATEGORYCODE, DATEEXPIRY
>>
>>
>> Error analysis:
>>
>> Line 2 Critical field "surname" missing (borrowernumber: UNDEF; surname: UNDEF).
>> Line 2 Critical field "branchcode" missing (borrowernumber: UNDEF;
>> surname: UNDEF).
>> Line 2 Critical field "categorycode" missing (borrowernumber: UNDEF;
>> surname: UNDEF).
>>
>> It's all there.
>> Is Koha expecting the fields in a particular order? I'm supplying the
>> header row (above). But it's not connecting the two somehow. I have
>> tried with and without quotes around the fields, neither seems to
>> work.
>> Elaine
>>
>> On Wed, Nov 21, 2012 at 8:22 PM, Elaine Bradtke <eb at efdss.org> wrote:
>>> Are you saying there should be quotes around the fields?
>>> Because I'm getting similar failures and the fields are there, but
>>> it's not seeing them.
>>> Elaine
>>>
>>> On Tue, Nov 20, 2012 at 9:45 PM, Quoc Uy <nguyenquocuy_1102 at yahoo.com> wrote:
>>>>     First, i have problem with this, too. I downloaded original file patron_import.csv, opened it with Libreoffice Calc, watched table borrowers in database by Phpmyadmin. Then i tried to fill all file with the similar values as what i did before (add patron manual). Next i saved file as .csv file, and tried import patron. I failed with message: "Line 2 Critical field "surname" missing (borrowernumber: UNDEF; surname: UNDEF)"...
>>>>    Next i tried to change fomats all fields in their fomats (text, number, date), esspecially date YYY-MM-DD. Then i saved file as .csv file, and tried import patron. I failed with message: "Line 2 Critical field
>>>> "surname" missing (borrowernumber: UNDEF; surname: UNDEF)"... (same error)
>>>>    I saved .csv file as .ods file, and tried import, once more time fail.
>>>>
>>>>    Last time, maybe i was lucky, i use that.ods file, saved as .csv file, then i received a message:
>>>>
>>>> Export text file...
>>>>
>>>> field delimiter   ,
>>>> text delimiter   "
>>>> I press Ok, then saved. And i imported patrons without error.
>>>> I don't understand it very clear, but just wanna share experience. Hope it can help someone else.
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Koha mailing list  http://koha-community.org
>>>> Koha at lists.katipo.co.nz
>>>> http://lists.katipo.co.nz/mailman/listinfo/koha
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Elaine Bradtke
>>> Data Wrangler
>>> VWML
>>> English Folk Dance and Song Society | http://www.efdss.org
>>> Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London NW1 7AY
>>> Tel    +44 (0) 20 7485 2206 (This number is for the English Folk Dance
>>> and Song Society in London, England. If you wish to phone me
>>> personally, send an e-mail first. I work off site)
>>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> Registered Company No. 297142
>>> Charity Registered in England and Wales No. 305999
>>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>> "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture"
>>> --Elvis Costello (Musician magazine No. 60 (October 1983), p. 52)
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> Elaine Bradtke
>> Data Wrangler
>> VWML
>> English Folk Dance and Song Society | http://www.efdss.org
>> Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London NW1 7AY
>> Tel    +44 (0) 20 7485 2206 (This number is for the English Folk Dance
>> and Song Society in London, England. If you wish to phone me
>> personally, send an e-mail first. I work off site)
>> --------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> Registered Company No. 297142
>> Charity Registered in England and Wales No. 305999
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
>> "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture"
>> --Elvis Costello (Musician magazine No. 60 (October 1983), p. 52)
>



-- 
Elaine Bradtke
Data Wrangler
VWML
English Folk Dance and Song Society | http://www.efdss.org
Cecil Sharp House, 2 Regent's Park Road, London NW1 7AY
Tel    +44 (0) 20 7485 2206 (This number is for the English Folk Dance
and Song Society in London, England. If you wish to phone me
personally, send an e-mail first. I work off site)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Registered Company No. 297142
Charity Registered in England and Wales No. 305999
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture"
--Elvis Costello (Musician magazine No. 60 (October 1983), p. 52)