Answers.Body: <p>We created a custom field to import it in so we had them on file, then as members renewed we switched over to using their contact ID's as member numbers and put a notice in their renewal emails that they would notice changes.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-09-01T14:45:02.100Z
Answers.Text: Does seem to be the only realistic approach. I have given up trying to force the old values in and settled for 'external id'
Answers.UserDisplayName: kapn
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-08-31T21:01:12.633Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-08-31T21:01:12.633Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Laura
Body: <p>I have a list of members that I'm importing from our old system. Since they have unique numeric member numbers, I'd like to preserve the original member number and not muddy the waters by making that an 'External ID'.</p>
  
  <p>Using import memberships, the insert option doesn't allow me to assign member IDs. the update option fails because the member IDs don't exist.</p>
  
  <p>Thoughts on how to preserve the original membership IDs? Or am I out of luck?</p>
  
  <p>Keith</p>
  
Tags: <civimember><data-import>
Title: preserving Member IDs on first import?
ThreadText: # preserving Member IDs on first import?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2018-08-31)
  
  I have a list of members that I'm importing from our old system. Since they have unique numeric member numbers, I'd like to preserve the original member number and not muddy the waters by making that an 'External ID'.
  
  Using import memberships, the insert option doesn't allow me to assign member IDs. the update option fails because the member IDs don't exist.
  
  Thoughts on how to preserve the original membership IDs? Or am I out of luck?
  
  Keith
  
  **Tags:** civimember, data-import
  
  
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  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2018-08-31. Score: 1 | Accepted answer
  
  We created a custom field to import it in so we had them on file, then as members renewed we switched over to using their contact ID's as member numbers and put a notice in their renewal emails that they would notice changes.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Does seem to be the only realistic approach. I have given up trying to force the old values in and settled for 'external id'  
  
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