Batch Contributions Form

[raincityultimate]

Ok, the id # entry works on the contributions form. It still takes 45 minutes to do the data entry for each Sunday. Using an excel spreadsheet of id#, amount, category, I am able to do the data entry in about 5-10 minutes.  I wrote a script to compare my entries in Ascribe vs Excel. I still find the data entry into Ascribe is error prone. No bugs in Ascribe, just difficult to make sure I enter the correct information.

It would be great if you could provide a batch load capability. Upload and XML file containing all the necessary fields/data for a given contribution batch.

If that is not feasible, than a data entry interface that takes the input as a table form rather than detail page form. In our church the funtion of maintaining the name/address information is managed outside the financial contributions section and by another person.

Thanks,
Todd

 

[Truman]

Hi Todd,

Welcome to the forums.

What types of data entry errors are you finding are common?

Also, what is your typical data entry scenario? Here's what I can imagine: A spreadsheet could possibly have the following columns:

• Household ID
• Person ID (optionally)
• gift amount
• gift type
• gift note (i.e., check number)
• Fund ID

You would need to know the household ID, the correct code for gift type, and the correct ID for the fund. You could not split a gift among multiple funds, however, having Ascribe import a spreadsheet like this. I'm not sure this is a very user-friendly scenario.

Also, how many church bookkeepers would know how to generate an XML data file? Data like this, however, could easily be saved from a spreadsheet as a CSV or tab-delimited text file and processed by Ascribe.

I'm not sure it would be adequate to meet the needs of most churches. Could I get feedback from some other churches? Please let me know if you think a data file upload like this would be helpful.

If you have other ideas for data import, please describe further.

With regards to a simplified data entry interface, this is definitely a possibility and I would like to do everything I can to make data entry quick.

I understand that your church members donate using preprinted envelopes with household ID numbers on them. This means that you know what the ID numbers are of the giver. I wonder how many other churches also use preprinted envelopes. Churches that do not have pre-printed envelopes will need to do a household search for each contribution.

Maybe you could describe what your ideal "table form" input interface would look like.

thanks,
Truman

[Bridgecity]

Truman,

We've found the financial entry form you already have to be quite efficient and accurate.  No concerns from us.  We don't use pre-printed envelopes, though. 

I always like seeing things get easier, but I don't see us uploading data from another tool.  We try to keep things simple for our office people.  The book keeper only uses ascribe and Quickbooks, nothing else.

Options are always great, but we're pleased with the current state.

Marc