This article is designed to help you understand how to consolidate the histories of multiple contacts into a single record. Whether you're decluttering your contacts list or combining records for efficiency, it's important to follow the steps carefully to ensure successful data consolidation.
Eligibility for Contact Merge
Before you can merge the history of any contacts, please note the following restrictions:
- You can only merge contacts that belong to the same company.
- The merge function is unavailable when the All companies filter is selected.
- The history of the following contact types cannot be merged:
- Companies
- Bond Authorities
- Archived contacts
Remember, merging contacts will not alter contact details or any set fee rules. For a review of fee rules, generate the "Fee Rules by Owner" report from Client/Trust Accounting Reports.
How to Merge Contact History
The merging process is fairly straightforward. Here is what you need to do:
- Go to the Contacts tab
- Select the contacts you wish to merge.
- Click the Merge button to initiate the process.
- In the pop-up window, select the contact that will remain after the merge—this is your primary contact.
- Tick the checkbox to acknowledge that you understand the implications of the merge.
- Click the Merge button to finalize the process.
Important Note on Disbursements
If you use the Merge Contact feature, please be aware of the following considerations concerning disbursements:
- All ledgers linked to the Owner Contact will pull through during Disbursement after the merge is completed.
- There is no way to selectively control Expenses out of a specific ledger related to the merged owner contact.
- The only control available post-merge is to turn off disbursing funds out of the ledger entirely.
By being cautious and familiar with the merge process and its post-effects on disbursing funds, you can ensure an efficient and accurate realignment of your contact records.