The Contact Selection Cart is a powerful tool in ARTERNAL that allows you to batch manage multiple contacts with ease, making it simple to perform quick actions on selected contacts.
Step 1: Adding contacts to the selection cart
In the contact list, click the checkbox next to a contact's name to add them to the selection cart.
Alternatively, you can go to the contact’s detail page and click the checkbox there to add them.
Click Select All at the top of the list to add every contact that matches your current search, filters and list, not just the ones on screen. This includes contacts further down that you haven’t scrolled to. The button shows Selecting… while it works.
If you can only work with your own contacts, the checkbox on a detail page is hidden for contacts that aren’t assigned to you, and Select All only adds contacts assigned to you.
Step 2: Viewing the selection cart
The cart button is at the top right of the Contacts page. It shows how many contacts you’ve selected. Click it to open or close the cart. It also opens on its own as you add contacts.
Click a contact’s name in the cart to open their detail page.
Your selection is saved, so the cart keeps your contacts even after you refresh the page.
Step 3: Deselecting contacts
To remove a contact from the selection cart, click their avatar in the cart (an “x” appears when you hover over it) or uncheck the checkbox next to their name in the contact list.
You can also deselect a contact from their detail page by clicking the checkbox again.
Step 4: Performing actions on selected contacts
Once contacts are in the selection cart, use the icons along the top of the cart:
Assign to User (person icon): Assign the selected contacts to yourself or another user, or choose Unassign. You’ll be asked to confirm.
Add to List (list icon): Choose a list to add the selected contacts to, or click Add Contacts to New Static List to create a new one.
Add Tags (tag icon): Categorize the contacts by adding tags.
Create Smart Mail (envelope icon): Start a new Smart Mail with the selected contacts. Nothing is sent until you send it.
Remove From List: Appears when you’re viewing a static list (not a live list). Removes the selected contacts from that list.
Merge Contacts (three-dot menu): Combine two duplicate contacts. Only available when exactly 2 contacts are selected. See How to merge duplicate contacts.
Archive Contacts (three-dot menu): Remove the contacts from the active view by archiving them. You’ll be asked to confirm, and the cart is cleared afterward.
Depending on your user permissions, some actions may be hidden or greyed out. The cart isn’t shown in the Archived view.
Step 5: Clearing the selection cart
To empty the selection cart, click the red CLEAR button to remove all contacts from the cart.
Frequently asked questions
Q: How do I add contacts to the selection cart?
A: You can add contacts by clicking the checkbox next to their name in the contact list, or by clicking the checkbox on their detail page.
Q: How do I view the contacts I’ve added to the selection cart?
A: Click the cart button at the top right of the Contacts page to open or close the cart and see all selected contacts.
Q: How can I remove a contact from the selection cart?
A: To remove a contact, either click on their avatar in the selection cart, or uncheck the checkbox next to their name in the contact list or on their detail page.
Q: What actions can I perform on contacts in the selection cart?
A: You can assign them to a user, add them to a list, add tags, create a Smart Mail, remove them from the list you’re viewing, merge two of them, or archive them.
Q: How do I clear all contacts from the selection cart?
A: Simply click the red CLEAR button to empty the selection cart.
Q: Can I filter the table to show only my selected contacts?
A: Not directly. Open the cart, click Add To List, then Add Contacts to New Static List. Name the list and save, and ARTERNAL opens it with just those contacts.
Q: Will my selection stay if I refresh the page?
A: Yes. The cart is saved, so your selected contacts are still there after a refresh.
Working with artworks? Inventory has its own selection cart. See Managing Artworks Using ARTERNAL’s Inventory Selection Cart.