Using the Spreadsheet Template

JwC can initiate an email of an Initial Setup Spreadsheet Template. See Opening Page.

In the following any mention of "Excel" (a Microsoft product) refers to any spreadsheet program supporting the .xlsx format.

A free JwContactsSpreadsheet program is available on the web site for those who need it to work with a JwContacts file,

Considerations:

1. Currently all contained words are in English and should NOT be altered in ANY way, as that will cause the import to fail to insert associated data.

    Likewise, the first column on each worksheet must remain unmoved, as otherwise the entire worksheet will be rejected.

2. Many worksheets have Excel checkboxes as visual aids.

    Enough rows have been supplied you are not likely to need more.

    Unused rows having checkboxes will be ignored. (An unused row is any row lacking an entry in its first column.)

    Note: Excel can provide a cell reference formula for checkboxes. Please DO NOT add them, as they will cause failures should you later copy the checkbox.

3. The more data entered, the less will need to be entered (less easily) in JwC itself. However, the only required column is always the first.

    Nonetheless, checkboxes left unchecked do result in setting items to false, which may not be appropriate in every case.

4. Names referring to the exact same individual or place must be identical between worksheets, allowing links to be created on import.

    First column entries must be unique on each worksheet, though not between worksheets.

    If you do have two different brothers named John Doe, you will have to enter in such a way they are different (i.e., possibly John Doe and Johnnie Doe, etc.)

5. As worksheets can be very wide and/or long, you may find it helpful to temporarily freeze the first row or column on a sheet. See Excel's instructions.

    Freezes do not affect later importation.

6. In Settings JwC users can specify default entries for City, Governmental unit (State, Province, etc.) and/or Country.

    If any of these are almost always the same, you can limit the Excel entries to just those which represent exceptions.

    JwC will use the supplied defaults to update those missing.

7. After completion, zip the file, name unchanged (except for the .zip extension) and email it to any desired recipients.

    The simplest use would be to email only yourself (or someone helping you check entries), place the initial file into the designated download folder (See New Congregation.) and import.

    Thereafter, in JwC, double check entries and send a Primary Update to all desired recipients. See Sharing Data.

    To use it, they will need to have created a first long-on, including Congregation Number, creating a new, empty Congregation with the correct Congregation Number.

    (Primary update imports can ONLY be used by recipients with matching Congregation Number.)

    Thereafter they can use your Primary update. See Updating the Congregation.

Caution:

While you might wish to continue using this file for sending updates, that is not advised.

The Excel file does not have the same verifications as a JwC update file and is much larger.

Rather, make all updates in JwC itself, then email them. The initial Excel file should just represent the Base setup only.

If desired JwC can produce an Excel copy of fully updated data for other uses, as well as emailing acceptable updates to other users.