CMD 2020 can import data from CMD 2012-2019. Data from prior versions will have to be imported by Software for Ministry at a cost of $35. If you update to CMD 2020 and have a version of CMD prior to CMD 2012, you'll need to contact us for details.

Important Note: You should do the data import only on the machine that actually hosts CMD 2012-2019's data, and that will serve as the host for CMD 2020's data.

Before using the import function, please back up a safety copy of your CMD data in your current version before you start the import in CMD 2020!

To import data from CMD 2012, click Utilities | Import Prior CMD Data | Import 2012 Data.

To import data from CMD 2013, click Utilities | Import Prior CMD Data | Import 2013 Data.

To import data from CMD 2014, click Utilities | Import Prior CMD Data | Import 2014 Data.

To import data from CMD 2015, click Utilities | Import Prior CMD Data | Import 2015 Data.

To import data from CMD 2016, click Utilities | Import Prior CMD Data | Import 2016 Data.

To import data from CMD 2017, click Utilities | Import Prior CMD Data | Import 2017Data.

To import data from CMD 2018, click Utilities | Import Prior CMD Data | Import 2018 Data.

To import data from CMD 2019, click Utilities | Import Prior CMD Data | Import 2019 Data.

**** Note that you cannot simply backup and then restore data from CMD 2012-2019 into CMD 2020.

If you attempt an import but experience any difficulty, don't panic! Just contact us and we'll help you get it done. The e-mail address in case of problems is: mic@softwareforministry.com

How to Import Data from CMD 2012

When the Import 2012 Data dialog appears, click the Browse button to find the path to the CMD 2012 data. If you setup CMD on a single computer and have only one data file, chances are the data file will be located in a folder one level under the c:\cmd2012\cmd2012config folder. If the data's in a different place, click the Browse button to find the folder that contains the CMD 2012 data file you wish to import.

Once you are satisfied that you have the correct data folder, click the Import Data button to begin the process. CMD 2020 will be importing information from nearly 4 dozen data tables, so it may take a few minutes. However, most files will be imported in a matter of a few seconds.

How to Import Data from CMD 2013-2019

You will need to find the CMD 2013-2019 data files you wish to import. To find them, click the Browse button. They will be located in the C:\CMD-SFM\Data folder. Under this folder, there will be a specific folder for the data for specific years: C:\CMD-SFM\Data\Data201x, etc. Click onto the folder of the data file you wish to import, and then click OK. That will bring you back to the Import dialog. Click the Import Data button to begin the actual import process.

Importing Data from Other Programs

Software for Ministry offers limited data import from other programs on a contract basis. Generally the fees are quite small, and the user must supply Software for Ministry data in a format that we can use. Contact us directly for pricing and format information if you wish to import your data from another program.

Importing Pictures

If you have been storing pictures already linked to names in your CMD file, you will need to import them into CMD 2020's data files. CMD no longer pulls in the external picture files. They must all be imported directly into CMD's database.

To import your pictures into CMD, go to: Utilities | Import Prior CMD Data | Import Pictures.

You first need to browse for the folder where your pictures currently reside. Click Select Folder when you've found the folder the pictures are in. By default, the Find Folder dialog starts at C:\CMD-SFM\WebApps\Pictures.

Once you've selected the folder, click the Import button and your images will be quickly imported into CMD's data files.

Important note: Before you import your pictures into CMD's data file, confirm that you have prepared your pictures according to CMD's picture specifications otherwise your data files will swell to a potentially unmanageable size, and you will slow down some of CMD's operations because of the unnecessary huge data overhead non-conforming pictures creates.

Also note that we recommend that you leave the pictures that you've been storing outside of CMD's data files in place in case you ever experience data corruption and need to re-import your pictures.