Modifying Sample database ?

[cheyenne2002]

I'm attempting to modify the Events database to track fundraising. My thoughts are that my attendees are my donors and the events are the campaigns.

My question is, I have data from previous years that is currently in the GiftWorks program (ugh) and I want to export that data and somehow import it into the Access database. I have already imported the donors.

What I'm confused about is how to import the pledges, and payments from the previous years and get them to link up (relate) to the donors that I already imported.

I'm looking for guidance and any and all suggestions as to how to accomplish this. I'm fairly new and a bit weak on SQL. Most of what I have done has been adding to the already existing databases.

Thanks in advance for all your help
Sharon

 

[Remou]

Do the donors have a number or an identifier? Do the pledges have an identifier that relates to donors?

 

[cheyenne2002]

When I imported the donors I created an AutoNumber that is the primary key. It took some doing to get it right, but I finally got it.
My empty table for the pledges as a primary key, but the raw data (I just found out from GiftWorks) does not, or I can't get to it if it does.

When I export the data from GW I think I can pull the name of the donor each time. If this is true I might be able to do a vlookup in Excel and put the donor number on the pledge record. My concern is when a payment is made I want to be sure to put it with the right campaign. I have data from 2003 thru 2006. I supose I could do it one year at a time....but I'm not sure. I'm still trying to think this thing through.

Any thoughts or sugggestions, other than picking up my blocks and going home. LOL

Sharon

 

[Remou]

I am not familiar with GiftWorks, so it is difficult to advise. If possible, I suggest that you export donations with both year and donor name and then work on that table to normalize it.

 

[cheyenne2002]

I think I can export the data the way you suggest. If I do, can I somehow link (relate) the donor to the pledge and then the pledge (by year) to the payments?

I wonder if that is the way to go. I hope the events sample database can do that for me.

I think if I use the sample database the following way:

attendees = donors
events = the campaigns (for each year)
registrations = the pledges
payments = payment of the pledge

I will have to try this on Monday and see what I come up with.

Thank you so much for your sugggestions and time.
Sharon

 

[Remou]

Please read this:

http://www.r937.com/relational.html

It will show you what you are aiming for.