Summary: This guide details how to bulk import or remove attendance records for individuals and events using the CSV template, explaining the required fields (Breeze ID is key) and noting that Tithely will automatically create events and series based on the submitted data.
Before You Begin
- You must have the necessary permissions to access Bulk Tasks and Attendance data.
- Breeze ID is required for individual records. Use "Anonymous" if the person is not in the database, along with the total count.
- Tithely automatically creates events for you: Unique event names are considered a different series, and if a pattern is found, future events will be created.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Bulk Importing Attendance
- Navigate to the User and Organization Settings.
- Choose "Bulk Tasks."
- Choose "Import Attendance" (on the left).
- Download the template file and populate it with your attendance data.
- Import the revised file using the "Import Attendance File" button.
Understanding Fields on the File
| Field | Options | Examples |
|---|---|---|
Breeze ID If a person is not in the database, add them. If there’s a large number of people not in the database, bulk import them. Be sure that the person is not in the database with a slightly different name as creating them as a new person will create a duplicate person. If duplicates are created, they can be merged (individually). | Integer or "Anonymous" | 102301231 194202391 140293123 Anonymous |
First Name Technically speaking, the first name field is ignored by the import (the Breeze ID is the only identifier used). The first name field is for the benefit of the person constructing the import file. | String (optional) | Jack Lisa Sue Craig Blank |
Last Name Technically speaking, the last name field is ignored by the import (the Breeze ID is the only identifier used). The last name field is for the benefit of the person constructing the import file. | String (optional) | Anderson Smith Rogers Doe Blank |
Event Name The name of the event. All names that match will be considered in the same series. | String | Jr High Youth Group Kid Zone Wed Night Small Group Vacation Bible School |
Date (mm/dd/yyyy) + Time (if applicable) Each row should contain the date (see downloadable template). Include the time if the event occurs at a specific time in the calendar. | Number | 5/25/18 05/25/18 05/25/18 10:30am 5/25/18 9am |
| Count If left blank, the person will automatically be included as "attended". To prevent a person from being checked in either enter a -1 or delete the row with their name. When using Anonymous enter the number of people who attended the event but not named. | Number or blank | -1 84 Blank |
Removing Attendance Records
- To uncheck a person from an event, make the Count column -1 for that row, or delete the row with their name. This unchecks a person from an event.
Importing Attendance for Tag-Specific Eligibility
- Go to Events, click on your event, and choose "View Details."
- Click "Reports" and then "Download as Excel."
- Delete any columns past Column C (Last Name), leaving only Breeze ID, First Name, Last Name.
- In cell D1 write, "Event Name"; in E1, "Date"; and in F1, "Count".
- Fill in all rows that have a Breeze ID in column A with content in columns D, E, & F.
- Save as a CSV and upload into the Bulk Import Attendance tool.
Troubleshooting & FAQs
- How does Tithely handle future events? If there are more than 5 events matching a regular pattern (e.g., weekly), Tithely will automatically create additional events extending into the future.
- How do I record attendance for visitors not in the database? Enter "Anonymous" in the Breeze ID column and the total number of people who attended in the Count column.
- What happens if I forget to enter a Count? If the Count column is left blank, the person will automatically be included as "attended."