Add a New List

When running the New eMill Mailing Project wizard, you will be prompted to select what kind of data source you want to use to create your receivers lists. Once the project is created, you can add a new receivers list or black list by clicking on Project/Add Receivers List or Project/Add Black List.

eMill flexibility allows you to use data from any format:

Use a preconfigured Shared List.
If you do not have a database, eMill will create a specific database file (database.mdb) inside the project tree and will automatically link the project to it. You can then edit fields and records from eMill's Receivers View or from Microsoft Access.
If you select Microsoft Office files (Excel, Access, Windows Address Book, Outlook Contacts,...) as the data source, eMill will not create a specific database for your project. It will automatically generate the connect string to the file you have selected and ask which fields you want to use. Select the fields from the database tables or queries available.
If you select XML Data Source, eMill will allow you to connect to XML format used by the ADO recordset. It mainly aims at retrieving email addresses from eCommerce Shops like osCommerce or Oxid.
If you select other database formats as the data source, eMill will open a data link properties box which will help you to set the connection between eMill and the data source. Once the connection is successfull, you will be able to select the fields from the database tables or queries available.
If you want to use a MySQL database, eMill will open a specific wizard.
If you want to use a SQL Server database, eMill will open a specific wizard.
If you have email addresses in an unstructured text or html file, eMill can import them by recognizing email addresses from the text.
If you want to use a list from an eMill OptIn Service account (free online service for the management of subscribers list), you are able to build a live connection between your emailing project and eMill OptIn Service.
If you want to use the pixi* system (management of e-commerce sites back-office), you are able to build a live connection between your emailing project and the pixi* system.

All database fields selected become available to eMill and are displayed in the Receivers View. According to the communication channel you want to use (email and/or fax and/or SMS), you need to associate the email, the fax and/or the SMS field with their database equivalent. Other fields are the content variables (name, preferences, billing amount, etc.) that can be inserted inside the content using the Insert/Data Source Field option. Note that eMill automatically generates SQL queries to acquire the data, and generates the script inside the content when inserting fields from this option.

Once the list is created, you are able to filter records, to modify field binding and to edit data whether by modifying the project properties or by clicking on View/Properties.

Databases and views: Remember that records displayed in the Receivers View only constitute a VIEW of database information built from queries. If you are allowed and if you do modify records from the Receivers View, you will be in fact modifying the database entries you have linked to. Note that some databases will not allow you to modify or delete its records from the eMill Receivers View.

Linking to other CRM applications: Several CRM solutions do not rely on a single database back end that can be accessed through ADO connect strings and SQL queries. Rather, the data source is split among numerous files of various formats. eMill implements a specific provider that can link a mailing project to ACT! for instance, allowing use of any record stored from that application. eMill will detect ACT! if installed on the same machine and provide the option to link to it through its wizard. Ohter specific providers will be added over time.