Change_sis_id.csv fails when changing to new_id

[PeterZhao]

Hi All,

We recently changed our source of truth database so every user's sis id needs to be changed in canvas.

I am experiencing issues when I try to update Staff SIS ID's

I am using the required change_sis_id.csv file format e.g.,

old_id, new_id, type

12345,54321,user

However it is failing with the message:

A new_id, '54321', referenced an existing user and the user with sis_user_id '12345' was not updated

I get this for every record, any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Peter

[chriscas]

Hi @PeterZhao,

A couple questions for you...

In your CSV file, are you including all 5 "columns" defined in the documentation or just the three you're using?  I think you might need to have all 5. and just leave the unused ones blank in your data rows.

Secondly, can you confirm that your new ids will not conflict with any existing ids?  For example, if 1234 is changing to 3456 but there's already a 3456 in existence, you might need to do a 2 step process temporarily changing things to some other format, then changing them from that over to the new one so there are no conflicts.

-Chris

[PeterZhao]

Hi Chris,

I have tried using all 5 fields just now and still the same error. I can confirm that we've never used this format of new SIS ID's before.

The old one was a 12 character string whereas this new one is 32 digits.

Peter

[chriscas]

Hi @PeterZhao,

Without being able to see the exact file contents you're trying to upload (which would be a FERPA/data privacy issue for you to show here), I'm having a hard time imagining where the problem is coming in.  It may be something you could contact Canvas support to ask them to review if you have access to support at your school/institution.

-Chris

[petern]

I think Chris's solution seems reasonable.  It might be worth doing a provisioning report (including deleted objects) to double-check that there are no duplicates.  https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Admin-Guide/How-do-I-view-reports-for-an-account/ta-p/109

If there are no duplicates, there's a bug and CSM time.