Federation Customer Home Page

Welcome to the home page for customers of Federation software! We've provided resources here that you will find useful at every stage from beginner to master.

For assistance with downloading and viewing files, click here. If you cannot find what you need, please email customer support or contact us via any method you prefer.

Quick Start Manual

A short guide covering the most essential steps in getting your copy of Federation set up and configured for your specific situation. PDF

User Manual

An extensive instruction manual for Federation users, with chapters for every module. Includes conceptual overviews, step by step instructions, and screen shots. We publish an upgraded manual after a significant number of new features are released, but not for every release of Federation. We provide older versions for customers who have not upgraded. Pick the manual closest to the version you have installed.

• User Manual, Version 2.3.6 MS Word 2000 , PDF
• User Manual, Version 2.4.7 MS Word 2000 , PDF

The PDF version is more portable, but the MS Word version is more flexible. Using the Word format, you can 1) remove sections that do not apply to your organization, 2) dynamically update the table of contents, and 3) easily perform keyword searches.

Federation Users Group

Join the Federation Users Group, an email discussion forum for all users of Federation software, providing an opportunity to solve problems, share tips, and explore creative solutions.

Database administrators (DBAs) and other people interested in managing Federation and steering its development path may participate in the Federation Advisory Group.

Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD)

View a diagram showing the table structure and relationships underlying Federation. This entity relationship diagram is a valuable reference for users working in Federation's Sandbox, as they design custom queries and reports. The printout is highly detailed, and is best viewed in poster size and in color. For best results, have the file printed by a local printing shop on wide format paper. Otherwise, you may print it on standard paper, trim the inside edges, and tape the pages together to assemble the diagram. PDF

Data Converter

The Federation Data Converter is a free tool that facilitates the migration of data into Federation from external sources. The Converter allows you to import lists of people and organizations into Federation, mapping each source field to the appropriate target field, and avoiding the entry of duplicates. The Converter also handles tags (categories), notes, donations, programs, and assists. The supported formats for source files include CSV, delimited text, mdb (Access), xls/xlw (Microsoft Excel), and any other format that can be imported into a Microsoft Access database. Using the Converter requires medium-level skills in using Microsoft Access, including knowledge of table construction and query construction. If your organization does not have the staffing resources for to perform data conversions, consider hiring Symphony developers to do it for you, or to train your staff. Download the converter here:

• Fed Converter; for Federation versions 2.4.2 to current; for Access 2000. Zip

To obtain the Federation Data Converter for a different version of Federation or Access, contact support so we can send the variation needed.

Version History

Check out what new features have been added to Federation since the version your organization currently has installed. Federation evolves quickly, with new releases every month as we continuously strive to improve the product and respond to special needs of our customers.

• Version 1.80 to 2.43 (PDF)
• Version 2.44 to 2.47 (PDF)
• More recent changes though Version 2.6.0: call at 763-391-7400.