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Import contacts from CSV

In the app, go to Contacts and start Import contacts. The page title is Import contacts and the subtitle is Upload a CSV file to bulk-import contacts. You can also open View import history from the More menu on the contacts list when you need past jobs (see Import history and error reports). MEDIA: STATIC — Stepper showing all four steps; Upload step with Download template and drop zone. MEDIA: GIF — Upload CSV → Next: Map columns → map Phone → Next: Review → Start import → land on the import status page for that run. MEDIA: VIDEO — Full wizard on a test file, including duplicate-mapping highlight and missing-phone summary. After Start import succeeds, the app opens the import status page for that job so you can watch progress, preview problems, and download an error file when the product offers it. For what each control means, see Import history and error reports.

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At a glance

  • Steps in the stepper: 1 Upload → 2 Map Columns → 3 Review → 4 Import (the labels match what you see on screen).
  • In Map Columns, each column can map to a standard field, — Skip —, or a (custom) field from your tenant. Phone is required; other targets include first name, last name, email, company, tags, timezone, and your custom field definitions.
  • You must have a workspace (tenant) selected in the header. If it is missing, the app shows a message like Select a tenant to import contacts.

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Before you start (what to prepare)

  1. A CSV where each row is one contact.
  2. At least one column you will map to Phone (required).
  3. Optional columns for name, email, company, tags, timezone, and custom fields your tenant already defined.
Upload area copy to expect: the app explains that you can upload a CSV or drag and drop it, and that phone numbers may include a country code with or without a leading plus. Use Click or drag a CSV file here when you are ready to pick a file (.csv only). MEDIA: STATIC — Upload area with Download template visible. MEDIA: GIF — Drag-and-drop a .csv file onto the drop zone. MEDIA: VIDEO — Explain the Preview (first N of M rows) table after a file loads.
Pro tip: use Download templateDownload template gives you a ready-made CSV named contacts_template.csv with the columns the importer expects: phone, first name, last name, email, company, timezone, and one column per custom field. Sample values match types where the app can suggest them.

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Step 1 — Upload

The helper text on this step explains that columns you map to custom fields are stored as structured contact data, and that unmapped extra columns can optionally be turned into new text custom fields during the import (see the auto-create option in later steps if it applies). Next: Map columns stays disabled until a file is selected and the header row is read successfully. MEDIA: STATIC — Preview table with headers and first rows. MEDIA: GIF — Load a file and scroll the preview if there are many columns. MEDIA: VIDEO — CSV with quoted cells or extra commas, showing how the preview still lines up with columns.

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Step 2 — Map Columns

The instructions say: Map each CSV column to a contact field or custom field. The Phone field is required. For each column, pick a target in the dropdown. The app tries to help by auto-matching common header names to the right field.
  • If two columns map to the same target, that row is highlighted in amber and you see a Duplicate message—change one of the targets before you continue.
  • If Phone is not mapped, the app shows You must map at least one column to Phone. and Next: Review stays disabled.
  • If some columns are still unmapped, you may see an option to auto-create custom fields for those columns in the next steps (wording includes how many columns would be created).
MEDIA: STATIC — Map step with one duplicate mapping highlighted. MEDIA: GIF — Change a dropdown to clear a Duplicate mapping. MEDIA: VIDEO — Map a column to a custom field target from the dropdown (labeled with (custom)).
Watch out: duplicate mappingsTreat Duplicate warnings as blocking: they match the app’s own validation in Map Columns—the wizard will not let you move on until you fix them.

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Step 3 — Review

Review shows an Import summary with Total rows, how many Mapped fields you have, and Missing phone (highlighted in amber if any rows have no phone after mapping). You will also see a Column mapping list that pairs each file header with the field you chose, plus counts for how many rows will be skipped for missing phone when applicable. If auto-create is on for unmapped headers, the summary states how many unmapped columns will become new text custom fields. MEDIA: STATIC — Review cards with Missing phone greater than zero. MEDIA: GIF — Go back to Map columns, fix phone mapping, return to Review. MEDIA: VIDEO — Review with the auto-create message visible for unmapped columns.

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Step 4 — Import

When you choose Start import, the app shows Importing contacts… while the work runs. If something fails, you may see Import failed and Try again, which takes you back to the review step so you can adjust and resubmit. On success, the app takes you straight to the import status page for that run—there is not a separate “all done” screen in between. After import starts: stay on the status page the app opened. There you can track progress and use Preview errors or Download errors when the product makes them available. For details, see Import history and error reports. MEDIA: STATIC — Import step with Importing contacts… on screen. MEDIA: GIF — Submit and land on the import status view in the same session. MEDIA: VIDEO — Full path ending on the import status page with an error download or a completed summary.

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Auto-create unmapped custom fields (when to use it)

When the checkbox appears, it is labeled to match how many unmapped columns would become new custom fields, for example Auto-create custom fields for N unmapped column(s). Turn it on only if you want those extra columns to create new field definitions. Turn it off if you are cleaning up a messy export and do not want new schema from one-off column names.

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What to check after import

  1. Open Import history and error reports and find the run you care about, or use the import list from More → View import history on the contacts list, then open the same job.
  2. Confirm Status and the created / updated / skipped counts.
  3. Open Contacts and spot-check a few records to ensure fields look right.
Next: segment and launch Use filters and segments on the contacts you imported, then attach audiences in a campaign.