CiviCRM Community Forums (archive)

Is there anyway to import contacts directly into the database using the MySQL command line. I assume there is, but I`m not entirely sure of what data gets imported into which tables in the database during an import process - where could I find this info?

The reason I am asking, is that we have 750,000 contacts to import. I could do this a lot quicker through the command line than through the GUI. During an election, we may have to import this number of contacts a couple of times a week, and the faster the process, the better.

I know this might not be the most desirable way to import data, but its something I am comfortable with. If anyone has any better suggestions, please let me know - I'm by no means an expert programmer (very much an amateur), so I may need some guidance.

Thanks for any advice.

Brian

Hi,

I would use the API and write a script in bin that inherit from bin/cli.php (check other files in it to have an example).

bin/php/import.php does it from a csv.

X+

& Xavier's blog on csv import to apiv3

http://civicrm.org/blogs/xavier/api_batch_tools

Thanks for the tips. In Xavier's blog above, what exactly do I enter at -syoursite? Is it my domain name? Path to drupal root? Path to civicrm root?

Brian

Ok, nevermind. I figured out -syoursite means -syoursitekey.

It's the name of the folder under your/drupal/sites where you have the config (default or your domain name)

Code: [Select]

php bin/csv/export.php -uyourlogin -pyourpass -syoursite Tag
I get the error:

Code: [Select]

Cannot use object of type PEAR_Error as array in path/to/civicrm/bin/cli.php on Line 57

It means that it can't find PEAR Console module (it's installed in packages/Console)

I don't know why it doesn't find it. might be that your -s param is not pointing to the proper folder.

(btw, if you have any suggestion to formulate better what this s thing is, feel free)

X+

Nevermind - I've figured out the API - mostly anyway. A few more steps to go!

I'll start a new topic.