When importing to a Dataset destination (such as Organizations, Funds, or Companies and Foundations) using a form or Upload Dataset, Slate attempts to prevent the creation of duplicate records by finding an existing, matching dataset record. As soon as a dataset record matches a mapped item, Slate considers the record to be found, and it stops evaluating subsequent matching criteria. As such, the order is important to note below.

Forms and imports must have a specific dataset selected, so in addition to the matching criteria listed below, the matching record must also be part of the selected dataset.

Matching criteria

The items that are used to identify an existing dataset record in Slate appear below in the order provided:

1. Row Slate GUID Matching Only

   • This is the 36-character unique identifier of the dataset record.

   • Matching only: Used only to find potential matches. Does not update the GUID.

2. Row Identity Matching Only

   • This is the integer value of the identity column on the dataset record. It is automatically assigned and cannot be updated.

   • Matching only: Used only to find potential matches. Does not update the GUID.

3. Key

   • This is the unique key for the dataset record.

   • If the key does not exist, or a match was made from previously evaluated matching criteria, and the key does not match, then the key is updated.

4. Username

   • This is the username for the dataset record, which can be used to log in to Portals requiring dataset authentication.

   • If the username does not exist, or a match was made from previously evaluated matching criteria, and the username does not match, then the username is updated.

5. Dataset-scoped unique custom fields

   • If the unique field value does not yet exist, or it does not match what was mapped in the source, the value is updated.

If a matching record is found, that record is updated.

If no matching dataset data

If none of these items match, then a new dataset record is created.