The External ID field lets you identify users in our system with your preferred unique identifier from a system outside Socio, usually a third party or proprietary system. Using this field, you can identify users with their External ID throughout the Socio Platform.
About External IDs
The External ID makes it easy for you to "match" users across systems. External IDs also let you easily export from our system and import into the system that uses that ID — and vice versa!
Implement External IDs
There are two ways to add External IDs to your users' profiles. You can update the field in bulk using the Attendee import template or individually in the user's profile.
To view the External ID field, navigate to the Users & Groups tab and click a user to view their profile. Click the Settings (⚙️) icon, click Edit, and then scroll down and expand the Advanced Settings section. This reveals the External ID field. Don't forget to click Save Changes!

⭐️ Keep in mind, the maximum number of alphanumeric characters for the External ID field is 255.
⚠️Caution, the External ID field isn't editable once you've saved it.
Pass External IDs to URL
If Lead Retrieval is active for your event and you select the Pass Data to URL option on External Links, the passed data includes External IDs. This is a great option if you are linking to a survey and would like to reference each response by External ID.
External IDs and Lead Retrieval
When used with Lead Retrieval, you can populate the External ID in the QR data field. This field identifies the attendee as exhibitors scan their QR code. If a specific attendee doesn't have an associated External ID, the attendee is assigned a Socio QR Code.

Enable External ID as QR Code
If you want to use the External ID to populate the QR Code, navigate to Lead Retrieval in the Socio Platform and select the event. Click the Settings drop-down and click QR Code Options.

Select the checkbox and click Save Changes.

External IDs and Onsite
If you're using Onsite as a standalone product without purchasing Registration or an Event App, you must import attendees into your Onsite event. When you import an attendee file, the values you include in the External ID column automatically generate QR codes. These QR codes can then be printed on badges!
For more on importing Onsite attendees, check out our Onsite Attendees and Attendee Types article.
Questions? Chat Us or Email support@socio.events