For a charity, I've set up a mailing list with some customised fields. One of these fields has a default value, and updated values for individual subscribers. However, I now have to reset the field for all subscribers to a new default value, and this will need to be done again on a yearly basis.
The only way I found to do this so far is to delete the field and recreate it with the new default value. But this is very sensitive to errors when I transfer the management to other volunteers.
Is there an easier way to achieve a field value reset in Mailchimp?
In addition, I'm looking to update a field value for a subset of subscribers in batch. If possible, the solution applies to this problem as well.
Thanks, Juul.
You can export the contacts list following these steps:
https://mailchimp.com/en/help/view-or-export-a-list/
Then make the changes you need in the exported list.
Finally, import it again checking the field "Update existing contacts":
https://mailchimp.com/help/import-contacts-mailchimp
Related
Our particular situation is that we have a DateOnly field and would like to change it to DateTime field supporting also the time portion. The operation is not allowed in UI and it's also stated in the documentation. Hence, I excepted deleting the field and recreating it with the new setting would work.
However when I try to create the field with the same name the Duplicate Field Name error is thrown. I've read the column actually still exists behind in the DB.
Of course, I could create a field with a new name but it would require changing all related workflows and code customizations.
Is there a way how to overcome this issue?
Deleting and recreating an attribute with the same name but different type should work - of course with the caveat that you have to remove all dependencies before deleting the attribute and recreate them with the new attribute.
The Duplicate Field Name error seems to indicate that the field still exists - perhaps the entity needs to be published after deleting.
You may also find the XrmToolbox tool Attribute Manager helpful.
It allows you to migrate an attribute and its data to a new attribute.
There is custom field "Lock Flag" in Account BC, namely in S_ORG_EXT_X table. This field is made available in Opportunity BC using join to above table. The join specification is as follows: Opportunity.Account Id = Account.Id. Account Id is always populated when creating new opportunity. The requirement is that for newly created records in Opportunity BC if "Lock Flag" is equal to 'Y', then we should not allow to create the record and we should show custom error message.
My initial proposal was to use a Runtime Event that is calling Data Validation Manager business service where validation rule is evaluated and error message shown. Assuming that we have to decide whether to write record or not, the logic should be placed in PreWriteRecord event handler as long as WriteRecord have row already commited to database.
The main problem was how to determine if it is new record or updated one. We have WriteRecordNew and WriteRecordUpdated runtime events but they are fired after record is actually written so it doesn't prevent user from saving record. My next approach was to use eScript: write custom code in BusComp_PreWriteRecord server script and call BC's method IsNewRecordPending to determine if it is new record, then check the flag and show error message if needed.
But unfortunately I am faced with another problem. That joined field "Lock Flag" is not populated for newly created opportunity records. Remember we are talking about BC Opportunity and field is placed in S_ORG_EXT_X table. When we create new opportunity we pick account that it belongs to. So it reproduceable: OpportunityBC.GetFieldValue("Lock Flag") returns null for newly created record and returns correct value for the records that was saved previously. For newly created opportunities we have to re-query BC to see "Lock Flag" populated. I have found several documents including Oracle's recomendation to use PreDefaultValue property if we want to display joined field value immediately after record creation. The most suitable expression that I've found was Parent: BCName.FieldName but it is not the case, because active BO is Opportunity and Opportunity BC is the primary one.
Thanks for your patience if you read up to here and finally come my questions:
Is there any way to handle PreWrite event and determine if it is new record or not, without using eScript and BC.IsNewRecordPending method?
How to get value of joined field for newly created record especially in PreWriteRecord event handler?
It is Siebel 8.1
UPDATE: I have found an answer for the first part of my question. Now it seems so simple to me that I am wondering how I haven't done it initially. Here is the solution.
Create Runtime Event triggered on PreWriteRecord. Specify call to Data Validation Manager business service.
In DVM create a ruleset and a rule where condition is
NOT(BCHasRows("Opportunity", "Opportunity", "[Id]='"+[Id]+"'", "AllView"))
That's it. We are searching for record wth the same Row Id. If it is new record there should't be anything in database yet (remember that we are in PreWriteRecord handler) and function returns FALSE. If we are updating some row then we get TRUE. Reversing result with NOT we make DVM raise an error for new records.
As for second part of my question credits goes to #RanjithR who proposed to use PickMap to populate joined field (see below). I have checked that method and it works fine at least when you have appropriate PickMap.
We Siebel developers have used scripting to correctly determine if record is new. One non scripting way you could try is to use RuntimeEvents to set a profileattribute during the BusComp NewRecord event, then check that in the PreWrite event to see if the record is new. However, there is always a chance that user might undo a record, those scenarios are tricky.
Another option, try invokine the BC Method:IsNewRecordPending from RunTime event. I havent tried this.
For the second part of the query, I think you could easily solve your problem using a PickMap.
On Opportunity BC, when your pick Account, just add one more pickmap to pick the Locked flag from Account and set it to the corresponding field on Opportunity BC. When the user picks the Account, he will also pick the lock flag, and your script will work in PreWriteRecord.
May I suggest another solution, again, I haven't tried it.
When new records are created, the field ModificationNumber will be set to 0. Every time you modify it, the ModificationNumber will increment by 1.
Set a DataValidationManager ruleset, trigger it from PreSetFieldValue event of Account field on Opportunity BC. Check for the LockFlag = Y AND (ModificationNumber IS NULL OR ModificationNumber = 0)) and throw error. DVM should throw error when new records are created.
Again, best practices say don't use the ModNumbers. You could set a ProfileAttribute to signal NewRecord, then use that attribute in the DVM. But please remember to clear the value of ProfileAttribute in WriteRecord and UndoRecord.
Let us know how it went !
Is there a way of updating the Option Set options for the Marketing List Member Type to reflect an entity display name change? i.e. if the account entity has been renamed to organisation, is there a supported way of reflecting this in the displayed options? I have been able to achieve this using javascript, but wondered if there was a better way of achieving this? At the moment I am unable to change the descriptions of the current options: Account, Contact or Lead.
Simple solution..
Create a Solution in your crm org. Add Marketing list to it.
Export the translations from the solution and when you open the translation excel file you will see all 3 picklist values.
from there you can change the values.
If you have to rename an existing entity, you should also rename its 'messages'.
You will find them in the customization area. Open the entity account. There you will find 'messages'. These are the strings which are used for the entity.
For a complete renaming, you have to replace the term 'account' in these messages.
It's just a normal Option Set on the Marketing List entity called "createdfromcode" which has three options (Account, Contact, Lead) and the underlying values match the entity type codes (1,2,4).
You can't edit this option set directly, but you could set up your own with appropriate values and the labels you want to use, add that option set to the form and use javascript to copy the selected value into the existing field (which you keep on the form but not visible).
I have an custom entity which needs to have a case number for an XRM Application, can I generate a case number from the Service -> Case.
If this is not possible, how can I do this with a plugin, I've looked at the crmnumbering.codeplex.com but this doesn't support 2011, anybody outthere have a solution or should I rewrite it myself?
thanks
I've ran into this same type of issue (I need a custom # for an entity). Here's how you can do it:
Create an Entity called "Counter"
Add a field called "new_customnumber", make it a string or a number depending on what you want
Create a new record for that entity with whatever you want in the new_customnumber field (let's say "10000")
Create a plugin (EntityNumberGenerator) that goes out and grabs that record (you'll probably want to set the security on this record/entity really tight so no one can mess with the numbers)
On Create of the "custom entity" fire the plugin. Grab the value in new_customnumber save it to the "custom entity" (let's say in a "case" field) increment the new_customnumber and save it to the Counter entity.
Warning, I'm not sure how this is with concurrency. Meaning I'm not sure if 2 custom entities being created at the same time can grab the same number (I haven't ran into an issue yet). I haven't figured out a way to "lock" a field I've retrieved in a plugin (I'm not sure it's possible).
You will be unable to create a custom number for custom entities from the normal area you set a case number.
Look at the CRM2011sdk\sdk\samplecode\cs\plug-ins\accountnumberplugin.cs plugin. It's really similar to what you want.
Ry
I haven't seen one for 2011 yet. Probably easiest to write it yourself.
I've always created a database with a table with a single column which is an IDENTITY column. Write an SP to insert, save the IDENTITY value to a variable, and DELETE the row all within a transaction. Return the variable. Makes for a quick and easy plug-in and this takes care of any concurrency issues.
The performance is fast and the impact to your SQL server is minimal.
I would like to create a possible value for a specific picklist on CRM4.
I can see that the possible values are located in the stringmap table. My question is about how to properly add another record. The objecttypecode (10063) and attributename (assessmenttype) already exist - I simply need to add a new option to the picklist.
Of course, not wanting to void our support, I cannot just add the record to the table.
I have exported the xml configuration of this entity, and I can see the picklist values in this file under the "options" node of the picklist attribute node. I have imported this customization but it clearly is not all that needs to be done - my new values are neither in the stringmap table or visible on the form. what else needs to be done?
You need to use the metadata web service to make these updates. Check out http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dd904037.aspx for a walkthrough of how to create picklists. You'll also want to look at the UpdateAttributeRequest class.