The Directory feature in your Edlio Mobile App provides a centralized, mobile-optimized contact directory for your school community. It allows families, students, and staff to quickly locate contact information for administration, teachers, departments, and support services with direct click-to-call and click-to-email options.
App Directory vs. CMS Staff Directory: The Mobile App Directory described in this guide is configured in the EdlioApp Admin Dashboard (under Features > Directory) and displays inside your mobile app. It is managed independently from your website's public staff directory (/apps/staff/), which is generated automatically from CMS User Management and configured in Site Management > Staff Directory. Updating your website directory does not update your mobile app directory.
Accessing the Directory feature
To configure and manage the Directory feature in your mobile app:
Navigate to Features from the main navigation menu in your EdlioApp admin panel.
Select Directory from the list of available features.
Best practice: managing directory contacts using folder settings
⭐ Recommended Workflow: The most efficient and accurate way to populate and edit your staff directory is to utilize Settings > Folder Settings and pull staff directly from your existing People Records (rather than using bulk upload spreadsheets or creating standalone manual contacts). This keeps your directory synchronized with your centralized staff database.
Follow these steps to structure your directory using Folder Settings:
In the Directory feature, click Settings and select Folder Settings.
Organize your directory by creating folders such as "Administration", "Teachers", or groupings by Grade Level or Department.
Populate each folder by pulling all staff members who share that identity directly from your People Records.
Pro Tip for Nuanced Folders: If you upload Department information to your Staff People Records (e.g. Science, Athletics, Counseling, Special Education), you can create highly targeted, nuanced folders that auto-populate staff based on their departmental identity.
You can also pull all staff directly into your root folder if you prefer an all-school directory listing alongside specific sub-folders.
Creating and configuring contact folders manually
Folders make it easy for families to browse staff by category. When creating folders:
From the Directory management page, click New Folder.
Enter a clear, recognizable Folder Name.
Configure folder settings:
Display Order: Enter a number to set the sequence in which folders appear in the app.
Access Permissions: Restrict visibility to specific user roles (Students, Parents/Guardians, Staff) or leave open for all app users.
Visibility: Ensure the folder toggle is marked visible so it displays in the mobile app.
Click Save.
Adding individual contacts (alternative method)
Note: While pulling from People Records is recommended, you can still add individual contacts manually if needed:
Click the New Contact button.
Complete the contact profile fields: Name, Title/Position, Email (enables click-to-email), Phone (enables click-to-call), Location/Room, and Photo (square 400x400px).
Select the appropriate folder assignment(s) and click Save.
Bulk importing contacts via spreadsheet (alternative method)
Note: Direct spreadsheet bulk upload is available, but pulling from People Records remains the recommended practice for ongoing accuracy:
Click the Import button at the top of the Directory page.
Download the provided sample CSV template.
Populate your staff details, keeping header names unchanged.
Upload the file, review the import preview, and click Confirm Import.
Managing and updating contacts
Edit Contact: Click the pencil (edit) icon next to any contact to update their phone extension, title, room number, or folder assignments.
Delete Contact: Click the trash icon to remove an individual from the mobile app directory.
Reordering: Adjust the display order number in folders to rank leadership or department heads at the top.
Best practices
Maintain People Records: Keep department and title fields current in your central People Records so your folder sync stays accurate.
Use Square Photos (1:1 Ratio): Crop staff photos to 400x400px before uploading to avoid distortion or irregular scaling in the mobile app.
Cross-Folder Assignments: Staff members can belong to multiple folders (e.g., both "Science Department" and "Athletics Coaches") without creating duplicate records.