Introduction to Data Types in VineMigrator
VineMigrator is designed to handle various data types when transferring information to Filevine. Understanding these data types is crucial for ensuring your data aligns correctly with Filevine's structure. This guide will walk you through the different data types, their importance, and how to use them effectively in your migration process.
Understanding Data Types
Data types are crucial in defining how information is stored and processed. Filevine uses a range of data types, from common ones like text and numbers to specialized types unique to its system. Understanding these data types is key to a successful migration.
Why Data Types Matter
Accuracy: Correct data typing ensures your information is interpreted correctly in Filevine.
Functionality: Proper data types allow Filevine features to work as intended with your migrated data.
Efficiency: Matching data types accurately can speed up your migration process and reduce errors.
Data Type Reference Guide
Here's a comprehensive list of data types supported by Filevine and included in our VineMigrator import templates:
Data Type | Description | Example | Common |
String | Any test | Hello, world! | Yes |
Boolean | True/False statement | TRUE | Yes |
Date | Date in mm/dd/yyyy format | 10/28/2021 | Yes |
Time | Time in hh:mm:ss format | 13:12:06 | Yes |
Integer | Whole number without decimals or special characters | 4486863 | Yes |
Valid email address | Yes | ||
Dropdown | Single or multi-choice selection, separated by a comma | Client, Witness | Yes |
Text | Same as string, for longer content | This is a long string of text! | Yes |
Currency | Monetary value (up to 2 decimal places) | 34.45 | Yes |
Plain Decimal | Number with unlimited decimal places | 685.45856 | Yes |
Special Considerations for PersonLink Fields
PersonLink fields require extra attention due to their specific requirements in Filevine:
Exact Matching: PersonLink fields must exactly match existing Filevine contacts, including spelling, capitalization, and spacing.
Avoid Duplicates: Ensure your Filevine instance doesn't contain duplicate contacts to prevent linking issues.
API Sensitivity: The API may sometimes reject data even when it appears correctly formatted.
Best Practices
Clean Your Data: Before migration, ensure your data is clean, consistent, and free of duplicates.
Map Fields Carefully: Take time to map your source fields to the correct Filevine fields and data types.
Use Templates: Leverage VineMigrator's import templates for optimal field mapping.
Test Small Batches: Start with a small data set to test your migration before proceeding with the full dataset.
Validate Post-Migration: After migration, validate your data in Filevine to ensure accuracy and completeness.
Helpful Tips
Project Type Considerations
VineMigrator works with one project type at a time. If you have multiple project types (e.g., personal injury and workers' comp), you'll need to perform separate migrations for each.
When creating new projects, you can use VineMigrator to set the correct phase and assign the appropriate team members.
Data Cleanup Strategies
Before migrating, clean up your data as much as possible in your current system.
After migration, consider distributing spreadsheets to team members for review and correction of their assigned cases.
Set deadlines for data review to ensure timely updates and corrections.
Custom Fields and Project Data
Remember that custom contact fields in Filevine are those that don't appear on the standard contact page.
For project data, you'll need to update each section (static or collection) separately using VineMigrator.
Testing and Validation
Always start with a small batch of data (5-10 records) to test your migration setup before proceeding with larger datasets.
Use Filevine's reporting tools to validate the migrated data and ensure accuracy.
Remember, while VineMigrator is a powerful tool, it's most effective when your data is well-organized and you have a clear understanding of how it maps to Filevine's structure.
Support and Resources
Encountering issues or need additional help? We're here for you!
Check Our Knowledge Base: Many common questions are answered right here in our extensive documentation.
Contact Support: For personalized assistance, reach out to our dedicated support team at support@vinetegrate.com.
Remember, successful data migration is a journey, and we're here to support you every step of the way. With VineMigrator and these best practices, you're well-equipped to make your transition to Filevine smooth and efficient.
Happy migrating!