<p>I believe we figured this out over Slack, but the issue here was that you need to actually import your <code>Line Id</code> column into your <code>lineId</code> field, otherwise Feed Me doesn't know anything about that.</p>

<p>The checkbox to tell Feed Me to use a certain field's value to match existing elements on is one half of the problem - you've already correctly chosen <code>Line Id</code>. The issue is you need the other half - what data in your feed is supposed to match up with <code>Line Id</code> and <code>lineId</code>.</p>

<p>I suppose a less confusing UI would be to have an accompanying dropdown field near those checkboxes to say which bit of data in your feed should you be comparing with.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-03T13:55:44.717Z
Yep - everything is working.  I am closing it now.  Thanks again!
Hellyar
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-02T22:36:32.470Z
2018-05-02T22:36:32.470Z
crawf
<p>I am trying to use the <strong>FeedMe</strong> plugin to append data to existing entries.</p>

<p>My existing entries have a field that is a unique ID.  It is named <code>Line Id</code>.   They also have a blank field named <code>Program Justification</code>.  </p>

<p>The <code>.csv</code> file I am importing has only 2 fields <code>Line Id</code> and <code>Program Justification</code>.   They should sync with the existing entries.  But, FeedMe keeps throwing an <strong>error</strong> </p>

<pre><code>*justAPAF Justification: Unable to match an existing element. Have you set a unique identifier for ["lineId"] and does this have a value? - Element.php:104*
</code></pre>

<p>I do not know what I am doing wrong.  I use <code>Line Id</code> as a unique identifier in multiple database, data parsing and data visualization tools with no issues. </p>

<p>I am sure this is a simple 30 second explanation - but it has stopped me cold in my tracks for 5 days now.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

<plugin-development><plugins><plugin-feedme>
I just can't get FeedMe to work
# I just can't get FeedMe to work

(Asked by: username_0 on 2018-04-30)

I am trying to use the FeedMe plugin to append data to existing entries.
My existing entries have a field that is a unique ID.  It is named Line Id.   They also have a blank field named Program Justification.  
The .csv file I am importing has only 2 fields Line Id and Program Justification.   They should sync with the existing entries.  But, FeedMe keeps throwing an error 
*justAPAF Justification: Unable to match an existing element. Have you set a unique identifier for ["lineId"] and does this have a value? - Element.php:104*

I do not know what I am doing wrong.  I use Line Id as a unique identifier in multiple database, data parsing and data visualization tools with no issues. 
I am sure this is a simple 30 second explanation - but it has stopped me cold in my tracks for 5 days now.
Thanks

**Tags:** plugin-development, plugins, plugin-feedme


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2018-05-02. Score: 1

I believe we figured this out over Slack, but the issue here was that you need to actually import your `Line Id` column into your `lineId` field, otherwise Feed Me doesn't know anything about that.

The checkbox to tell Feed Me to use a certain field's value to match existing elements on is one half of the problem - you've already correctly chosen `Line Id`. The issue is you need the other half - what data in your feed is supposed to match up with `Line Id` and `lineId`.

I suppose a less confusing UI would be to have an accompanying dropdown field near those checkboxes to say which bit of data in your feed should you be comparing with.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Yep - everything is working.  I am closing it now.  Thanks again!  

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