PHPList - Importing data - 3B Web Design - London UK SEO Graphic Design

PHPList - Importing data

Written by Fraser Shipsides

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

To send a newsletter to a new e-mail list you will need to create a completely new list. (i.e. not a general newsletter list).

Select "list" from the right menu bar. Then scroll down to the bottom of the page and select the "add a list" link.
Give your new list and name and then select the save option.

You will then need to check what attributes that PHPList recognises/requires from your importing spreadsheet.

Select "main page" from the right hand menu bar and select "attributes" from the "Configurations functions" list.
Scan the list and take note of the corresponding attributes (e.g. a users firstname should be under the title "Forename")
Note the e-mail addresses should be listed under the title of "email" (there should be no "-").

You would then need to change your spreadsheet so that PHPList can process it properly.

Change the column titles so they match those in the attributes list.
Then create a column called "send this user HTML emails".
Enter a "1" into the first field. Select the bottom right corner of the cell and copy the cell down the entire column so that all users have a "1" in this field.
You will then need to save your spreadsheet as the appropriate file type:
Select "File", "Save as" and change the file type from "xls" to "Text (Tab delimited)"
Click yes/ok to any warnings that might show

Go back into PHPList

Select "manage users" and then select the "import users" link.
Select the first link from the list "import emails with different values for attributes".
Tick the name of the list that you created initially and then scan to the bottom of the list.
Select "Browse" and add your spreadsheet.
Tick all the checkboxes in the form except the second to last field "Retain Old User Email:"
Select "Make confirmed immediately"
Then "Import"

Note: Don't worry about any warnings saying "record has more values than header indicated".