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

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

Screengrab of the Import from Deckhand window

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.

Warning Icon

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.

🚫 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

⚠️ 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.

✅ 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