Entries Configuration
The Entries Configuration section enables updating database fields for participant records. It functions similarly to listing files and consists of two parts: control and data. Records are automatically updated during participant downloads, CSV imports, and when the update-all command is executed.
Sections Syntax
The syntax is similar to an RSM file with parameters.
- A
[control]section states which fields to check and which fields to change based on conditions. It can contain one or moreSelectcommands. There may also be control sections without data. - A
[data]section provides the values to check and use for changing fields. It is a list of parameters that replace placeholders in the control section. Data may live in an external file, referenced with.include.
[control]
SELECT ...
[SELECT ...]
[SELECT ...]
SELECTED ...
[data]
P1 P2 P3 ...
"P 1" "P 2" "P 3"
P1,P2,P3
Supported separators in [data] are space and comma. If the separator is a space and the data contains spaces, wrap the value in quotes.
Controls Section Without Data
Use this pattern when all records matching the selection need to be updated with the same value.
* Update all records with results web page
[control]
Select Bib
GT 0
Selected Results
Selected Message %Results Link%
* Club name abbreviation
[control]
select Club
contains Vernon
Selected Ver
Selected Message V
Version 8.3.7.5 and earlier require a [data] none section after each control section without data:
[data]
none
Version 8.4.0 and later automatically detect when a section has no data. The [data] none part can be removed.
Data Inputs
Data can be embedded directly in Entries.ini or loaded from a separate file using .include. For short data, keep it inline; for longer inputs (such as chip-to-bib mappings), use an include file.
Inline data example — set category based on race name:
[control]
Select Race
EQ %1
Selected Category
Selected Message %2
[data]
H "Half Marathon"
R "Relay"
Include file example — set bibs from a chip-to-bib CSV:
* Set bibs based on chips
[control]
select Chip
eq %1
selected Bib
selected message %2
[data]
.include chiptobib.csv
Example: Award Text by Finish Place
Store each finisher's place with Event to Database in a listing file, then translate that place number into award text with an entries.ini [control]/[data] lookup — useful for announcer scripts or a results printout that lists each finisher's prize next to their name. This is a two-file recipe — don't paste both blocks into the same file.
Step 1 — in a listing file (e.g. awards.lst), store the overall and division places into database fields:
* Store places for award lookups
Event to Database
Event TIME
Place
Database Field OALLPLACE
Division Place DIV
Database Field DIVPLACE
Run this listing after results are in (from Reports/Listings) to populate OALLPLACE and DIVPLACE on every finisher's record.
Step 2 — in Entries.ini, add [control]/[data] sections that translate the stored place numbers into award text:
* Overall award text by place
[control]
select OALLPLACE
EQ %1
selected OALLAWARD
selected message %2
[data]
1 "$6,000 poster, Lucite award"
2 "$3,000, Lucite award"
3 "$1,500, Lucite award"
* Age group award text by division place
[control]
select DIVPLACE
EQ %1
selected AGEAWARD
selected message %2
[data]
1 "1st place Lucite award, T-shirt certificate"
2 "2nd place Lucite award"
3 "3rd place Lucite award"
These fire automatically on the next participant download, import, or Update All (Alt+F4) — no need to rerun them manually. Print a listing that includes OALLAWARD/AGEAWARD alongside name and finish time to see the result.
Scope OALLPLACE to however your race defines "overall" — for example, run the Event to Database listing once per sex if top male and top female finishers should each start their award tiers at place 1.
Full Example
The following is a complete Entries.ini example for a marathon event, demonstrating race settings, field mapping, custom variables, and multiple control sections:
* Race details
race name City of Oaks
Date Format mm/dd/yyyy
race date 11/02/2025
* Age Processing
date of birth field birthdate
age field AGE
* Custom Variables
%race location% Raleigh, NC
%race distance% 42 km
%long race name% 19th City of Oaks Marathon
%Print Date% Sun, November 2, 2025
%Results Link% https://results.raceroster.com/v3/events/b2gurjtx6ekkxazd
*** CONTROLS *** NO COMMANDS after this line
[control]
select SEX
= %1
and
select age
>= %2
and
select age
<= %3
selected div
selected message %4
[data]
M 1 19 M0119
F 1 19 F0119
M 20 29 M2029
F 20 29 F2029
M 30 39 M3039
F 30 39 F3039
M 40 49 M4049
F 40 49 F4049
M 50 99 M5099
F 50 99 F5099
* Remove leading zeros from single-digit ages
[control]
Select AGE
= %1
Selected AGE
Selected Message %2
[data]
00 0
01 1
02 2
03 3
04 4
05 5
06 6
07 7
08 8
09 9
* Update all records with results web page
[control]
Select Bib
GT 0
Selected Results
Selected Message %Results Link%