Getting Started 105: Searching

Learn how to search contacts and other useful fields in DonorSnap by using the grid, quick search, and building custom reports in DataMiner Platinum.

Quick recap

This webinar covers various ways of searching for data in DonorSnap, including the Quick Search tool, sorting/filtering, and report building. The trainer demonstrated how to customize dashboards, filter data, and use Community > Contacts to retrieve specific information efficiently. The webinar also addressed common issues, provided tips for data management, and encouraged participants to experiment with the system while offering support for further questions.

Summary

DonorSnap Search Training Webinar
The trainer covers many ways to search your database in DonorSnap, explaining that it’s part of the Getting Started series for new users or those seeking a refresher. The agenda includes exploring the Quick Search function on the dashboard, running searches in the database under Community > Contacts, and building DataMiner platinum reports. The trainer emphasizes the importance of learning how to retrieve data from the database and discusses the differences between using the database search and running reports.

Customizing Dashboard for Efficient Contact Management
The trainer demonstrated how to customize a dashboard for efficient contact management. She highlighted the use of the ‘quick search’ feature, which allows users to look up contacts directly from the dashboard, saving time and effort. She also explained that the ‘quick search’ function is the same as the ‘search’ button in the database, providing the same results. The trainer suggested that this feature could be beneficial for those who frequently need to look up contacts.

Quick Search Function in Database
The trainer discussed the use of the quick search function in the database, emphasizing that it searches the entire database for any mention of the search term. She suggested that if one is already under Community > Contacts, it’s easier to directly search the last name rather than all the fields in the entire database. If you don’t know whether it is the primary name, secondary name, or a persona, then the Quick Search feature may be the easier option. The trainer also highlighted the usefulness of the search function for locating specific notes or affiliations. She concluded by explaining how to filter the last name field and demonstrated how to use the search box with different filters.

Database System Functionality and Export
The trainer explained the functionality of a database system, focusing on filtering, searching, and exporting data. She demonstrated how to filter out specific data, such as contacts from a particular state, and how to clear filters to return to the full database. She also showed how to use filter boxes to narrow down results and how to export the filtered data to Excel. The trainer emphasized the importance of understanding the goal of a search to ensure the right data is retrieved. She also discussed the process of creating a report to save frequently used data, such as a mailing list, to avoid having to rebuild it every time.

Community > Contacts Grid View Demonstration
The trainer discussed the functionality of the Community > Contacts grid view, emphasizing its ability to answer questions and provide specific information. She demonstrated how to filter and search for specific groups, such as volunteers and donors, using various fields like attributes and last donation date. The trainer highlighted the ease of use and the ability to perform multiple searches without the need for cumbersome reports. She also mentioned the importance of understanding when a report is necessary, as opposed to using the Community > Contacts page.

Managing Data for Non-Donors
The trainer discussed the process of identifying and managing data related to individuals who have never donated. She explained how to use the system to filter out those with a lifetime donation amount of zero, and how to create a report for these individuals. She also mentioned the potential impact of in-kind donations on this data. The trainer emphasized the utility of the DataMiner platinum tool for building and updating reports, and suggested it as a valuable resource for managing such data.

Community > Contacts and DataMiner Walkthrough
The trainer provided a detailed walkthrough on how to use the Community > Contacts and DataMiner features in their system. She suggested using the quick search on the dashboard and running simple searches to clean up data. The trainer also addressed various questions from the team, including how to handle tracking donors yearly, bulk updating, and adding new fields to the database. The trainer also demonstrated how to add a new field to the database and emphasized that every field can be filtered. The team was encouraged to experiment with the system and reach out with any further questions.

Related Pages:

Getting Started 101: Introduction
Getting Started 102: Setup
Getting Started 103: Features
Getting Started 104: Acknowledgement Letters
Getting Started 106: Reports
Getting Started 107: Forms
Getting Started 108: Mass Entry
DataMiner Platinum Basics webinar