Details
While lists cannot automatically be merged by our platform, the easiest way to combine multiple lists into one is typically to download each list, then re-upload them into one new master list in our product, or use a spreadsheet application to combine them.
This process will allow the platform to filter out any duplicates (at the time of import), too.
As part of the merge process, our instructions below will step you through importing your new Master List back into our product. This may cause your pricing tier to change, as these new contacts may push the account to the next level. If this is the case, you will be prompted on-screen first. If you do not wish to jump up to the next pricing tier, you will need to remove (delete) contacts from our system before you perform the final master list upload at the end. Deleting contacts will result in loss of all related statistical information.
How-to Guide
Method 1: Use our system to combine lists
- Navigate to Lists and Forms in the sidebar. Your lists will now be displayed.
- Decide which list you'd like to make your master list, and double-click it to open it in Forms view.
- Select Details at the top right and rename the list to something obvious (eg. Master List).
- Once done, click .
- Click Lists and Forms in the sidebar again to return to this section.
- Next up, we want to download all of the lists (except our newly-renamed Master List, of course) that we wish to combine into our new Master List. To do so, highlight the first list in question (by selecting the checkbox to the left) then select Download from the Actions dropdown.
- Repeat Step 6 for all remaining lists that you need to download.
- As your downloaded lists are zipped files, unzip these files. You may wish to save them somewhere safe and secure as a backup.
- Now follow the steps to Import & Upload Contacts - ensuring that you select your newly named Master List in our platform as the destination list when prompted.
- You can now delete original lists from our platform if you wish. We also recommend keeping a copy of the files you downloaded somewhere safe and secure as a backup.
You may also wish to review the section titled "Import Settings", below.
Method 2: Use Excel to combine lists
- Navigate to Lists and Forms in the sidebar. Your lists will now be displayed.
- Decide which list you'd like to make your master list, and double-click it to open it in Forms view.
- Select Details at the top right and rename the list to something obvious (eg. Master List).
- Once done, click .
- Click Lists and Forms in the sidebar again to return to this section.
- Next up, we want to download all of the lists (including our newly-renamed Master List) that we wish to combine into the Master List. To do so, highlight the first list in question (by selecting the checkbox to the left) then select Download from the Actions dropdown.
- Repeat Step 6 for all remaining lists that you need to download.
- As your downloaded lists are zipped files, unzip these files. You may wish to save them somewhere safe and secure as a backup.
- Open your downloaded Master List file with Excel (or similar application).
- Now open the other files you downloaded with Excel (or similar application) - and copy & paste their contents into your Master List which you've also opened in Excel. Ensure the columns / column headings match between lists, so that you're pasting the data into the correct fields.
- Save your updated Master List spreadsheet file.
- Now follow the steps to Import & Upload Contacts and import your Master List spreadsheet file - ensuring that you select your newly named Master List in our platform as the destination list when prompted.
- You can now delete original lists from our platform if you wish. We also recommend keeping a copy of the files you downloaded somewhere safe and secure as a backup.
You may also wish to review the section titled "Import Settings", below.
Import Settings
When importing contacts into our system, you will be able to configure the import settings, as shown below...
The Update existing Contacts... setting will allow you to update any contact records that may already exist in the list you are importing into, with the records contained in the file (using the field from the dropdown as the identifier to locate matches).
The Do not upload duplicates... setting only applies to the contact records contained within the file; this is used to ensure that only one contact record is uploaded (in the instance that duplicate records are contained within the file) - again, using the field from the dropdown as the identifier to locate matches.
The Ignore existing Contacts... setting can be used to match duplicates between your file and the destination list, and then NOT upload the duplicate record from your file into the list.
Further Reading
For more tips & tricks on database maintenance & list cleaning, see List & Database Maintenance Tips.