User's Help Guide:

Member Import Utility (Updated: 6 February 2012)

Return to User’s Guide Menu for Utilities

Instructions:  The Member Import Utility enables the Administrator to import Members from other systems utilizing ExpressionEngine’s special XML format.  It also includes a tool to convert delimited data into ExpressionEngine’s Member XML Format.

Import from XML
NOTE: There is no undo for importing members.  If you make a mistake or there is an error in your data, there is not a simple method to correct it. Always backup your database before using this utility!

WARNING: The <member_id> tag will cause the import utility to overwrite any existing members with the same ID.  It is generally recommended that you do not use a <member_id> tag, so when transferring users from one system to another, ExpressionEngine can automatically create new unique IDs for each member without overwriting any existing members.

The Import from XML utility enables you import members from an XML file in ExpressionEngine’s Member XML Format.

The utility itself contains the instructions needed to assist you during the XML import, and you should read each area carefully before performing the import. Username, Screen Name, and Email are required, and all standard member database fields are available to you, with the exception of “unique_id”. It is recommended that you do not use member_id, so ExpressionEngine can automatically generate unique Member IDs when the members are later imported from the XML file.

Passwords will be randomly created for members who do not have a <password> element, and those members will need to use the “Forgot Password” link in order to log in. Passwords of the “text” type will be encrypted for you. Pre-encrypted passwords will be inserted into the database as-is. Please see the notes on the password tag for more details.

Convert Delimited Data to XML
The Convert Delimited Data to XML utility enables the Administrator to take Member information from a third party application that exports a delimited data file and create an XML file in ExpressionEngine’s Member XML Format.  Nearly all delimited formats are accepted, such as the common tab-delimited, comma-delimited, and quote-enclosed formats.

The utility itself contains the instructions needed to assist you with the XML creation, and you should read each area carefully as you proceed. Username, Screen Name,and E-mail are required, and all standard Member database fields are available to you.  It is recommended that you do not use <member_id>, so ExpressionEngine can automatically generate unique Member IDs when the members are later imported from the XML file.

NOTE: Many applications export field headings as the first line of a delimited data file. You must delete this row, or it will be included as a member element. Field assignment takes place during the conversion process, so those field headings will not be necessary to define your file’s structure.