Importing Data from Deckhand

In the Publishers Database window, select Deckhand from the Import fly-out menu on the Database menu.

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This tool allows you to import publishers from a Deckhand database (CSV format) into your current database.

How to Use

1. Select the Deckhand CSV file

   • Click the folder icon to browse and select your Publishers Database (CSV) file.
   • The file must be UTF-8 encoded and include column headers.

2. Configure Student Assignment Defaults

   • Choose which assignments are available by default for Brothers and Sisters:

     • Brothers: Bible Reading, Discussion, Talk, Assistant
     • Sisters: Discussion, Assistant

3. Other Settings

   • Import as Notes: Select a single CSV field (e.g., Mobile) to store as the publisher’s notes.

4. Start the Import

   • Click OK to begin the import.
   • A log dialog will show any errors or warnings (e.g., duplicate publishers).
   • After a successful import, the database is automatically saved.

	Please perform a complete backup before undertaking the steps below as this operation cannot be undone.

📋 CSV Import Guide — What’s Supported

✅ Field Mappings

Standing

Only these values are supported:

• UP → Unbaptized Publisher (overrides all other values)
• E → Elder (sets Appointed = Elder)
• MS → Ministerial Servant (sets Appointed = MS)

All other values are ignored.

Publisher Type

Only applied if Standing ≠ UP:

• P → Publisher
• RP → Regular Pioneer

All other types are ignored.

Gender

Based on the Title column:

• Sister → Female
• Any other value → Male

Notes

• Only one column can be mapped to Notes (selected in the dialog).
• Complex or multi-field notes are not supported.

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🚫 Unsupported Values

Standing

These values are not supported and will be ignored:

• P → Publisher (redundant if not paired with Publisher Type)
• A → Associate

Publisher Type

These values are not supported and will be ignored:

• IN → Inactive
• CA → Continuous Auxiliary Pioneer
• SP → Special Pioneer
• BS → Bethel Servant
• M → Missionary
• CS → Construction Servant
• RPI → Regular Pioneer Infirm
• A → Associate
• G → Guest

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⚠️ Limitations

• Partial imports not supported — entire CSV is processed.
• Duplicate publishers are skipped (existing records not updated).
• New groups are created if missing; name clashes are not resolved.
• Assignments are limited to defaults shown in the dialog.
• Advanced Deckhand fields are ignored.
• Invalid or unexpected values may be silently skipped.

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✅ Summary of Supported Features

Feature	Supported?	Notes
CSV Encoding	✅ Yes	Must be UTF-8 with column headers
Groups	✅ Yes	New groups created automatically; existing reused
Duplicate Publishers	🚫 No	Existing records not updated — duplicates skipped
Standing	✅ Partial	Only UP, E, MS supported
Publisher Type	✅ Partial	Only P, RP supported
Gender Detection	✅ Yes	Title = Sister → Female; otherwise Male
Assignments	✅ Yes	Limited to defaults shown in the dialog
Notes Import	✅ Partial	Only one column can be mapped to Notes
Partial Import	🚫 No	Entire CSV is processed
Advanced Fields	🚫 No	Not imported
Error Logging	✅ Yes	Shown in the log dialog after import