Creating user accounts in bulk with Ranger Account Manager

Question

How do I create user accounts in bulk with Ranger? What format can usernames be?

Symptoms

N/A

Resolution

Instructions

Ranger Account Manager (RAM) can import a CSV file to create users in bulk.

The format of the usernames can be configured at import. Typically, Ranger Account Manager uses FORENAME, SURNAME, DATE of BIRTH, YEAR of ENTRY and ADMISSION NUMBER when creating accounts.

The CSV file can contain the above fields in any order. The initial page of the import wizard allows the appropriate fields to be identified.

The format of account usernames can be configured during the import process. RAM allows any combination of username made from the imported fields:

eg:

01EVANSA
2001EVANSAD
01AEVANS
EVANSA01

Configure the format you need by using the "Import format" wizard screen. Usernames can be generated using different combinations and numbers of characters from the identifying fields.

(Bear in mind that NT usernames are limited to 20 characters maximum).

Alternative username formats

To create usernames in a different format, modify the CSV file data using Excel or a similar application.

E.g. to create usernames such as "a-evans" with a "-", modify the surnames to include a "-" at the start of each one in the CSV file...

Then set the import format as "the first letter of the forename, followed by 18 letters of the surname"

Similarly, if a format such as "Tutorgroup,yearofGCSE,surname,firstletteroffirstname" is required, modify the CSV data in Excel prior to importing into Ranger Account Manger

i.e. R02EvansA could be created by simply pre-formatting the usernames in Excel and importing them all using one field only (e.g. forename)