Details
There are several ways to upload contacts into our platform - including through a file upload, a copy & paste, or by connecting to other apps.
We strongly recommend including yourself in your lists, or creating a 'staff' list. That way when you do an email send, you will always have an archive copy of what was sent and when (especially since you can send to multiple lists at the same time).
How-to Guide
Uploading Contacts via a File
- From the sidebar, select Contacts.
- Click the button.
- Now choose Upload a file, as shown below.
File size limits apply on uploaded files. For CSV, TAB and TXT files, the maximum allowable file size is 15MB. For XLSX files, the maximum allowable file size is 3MB.
- In the next section, select the Folder and List to upload your contacts into - or, create a new list by selecting the option.
Uploading contacts into an existing list will update matching contacts by default. Alternatively, if you elect to upload your contacts into a new list, this will create corresponding fields for the new list from column headers in your file - or you can create these yourself.
- Next, click and locate the file you'd like to upload from your computer.
- Click to continue.
- Your file will then be uploaded and analysed, then you will be presented with a screen to customise field names, types and set advanced options for uploading. Here you can edit each field by selecting the arrow next to the required header, and selecting Edit. You will now be able to edit update the name of the field, as well as the field type. If the column is not required, simply select Skip this column to have the system ignore the column during upload.
If you need to adjust any upload settings - such as using a header row, changing how duplicates or unsubscribes & bounces are handled, click Settings at the top right of the import preview screen. Each of these advanced options are explained in detail towards the end of this page.
- Once you have setup your columns and fields correctly, click to complete the process.
- A final screen will detail the number of new contacts as well as uploaded contacts.
If your plan pricing has changed due to the number of contacts uploaded, you will need to confirm via a checkbox you understand billing may change as a result of the upload.
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Once your upload is complete you will see this report. It will state if all contacts were uploaded correctly or not. You can also download the report of contacts that did not upload correctly to fix any errors and re-upload.
Video (Uploading Contacts via a File)
Uploading Contacts via Copy & Paste
- From the sidebar, select Contacts.
- Click the button.
- Now choose Copy & Paste, as shown below.
- In the next section, select the Folder and List to upload your contacts into - or, create a new list by selecting the option.
- Copy and paste your list of contacts into the supplied box, you can include column headers in this list as these will be used for your field names.
- Click to continue.
- Your contacts will then be uploaded and analysed, then you will be presented with a screen to customise field names, types and set advanced options for uploading. Here you can edit each field by selecting the arrow next to the required header, and selecting Edit. You will now be able to edit update the name of the field, as well as the field type. If the column is not required, simply select Skip this column to have the system ignore the column during upload.
If you need to adjust any upload settings - such as using a header row, changing how duplicates or unsubscribes & bounces are handled, click Settings at the top right of the import preview screen. Each of these advanced options are explained in detail towards the end of this page.
- Once you have setup your columns and fields correctly, click to complete the process.
- A final screen will detail the number of new contacts as well as uploaded contacts.
If your plan pricing has changed due to the number of contacts uploaded, you will need to confirm via a checkbox you understand billing may change as a result of the upload.
-
Once your upload is complete you will see this report. It will state if all contacts were uploaded correctly or not. You can also download the report of contacts that did not upload correctly to fix any errors and re-upload.
Video (Uploading Contacts via Copy & Paste)
Advanced Import Settings
During the contact upload process you have the ability to change the options on how data is treated during upload. This dialog can be opened by selecting Settings during the upload process.
Let's take a look at the different options available on the General tab...
- File includes header rows: Ignores first row of data for upload purposes and renames existing field names to the header row
- Update existing Contacts on a field: If a contact exists, use this field to match the contact before updating.
- Ignore existing Contacts based on a field: If a contact with this field matches the upload data, do not update.
- Do not upload duplicates within this import based on a field: If a contact exists where this field matches, do not upload. This does not have to match the update settings.
- Country code used for Mobile Phone Number: SMS messages sent from the system with use this country code.
- Do not upload previous unsubscribers:
- All of my lists: Any contacts in your import that have previously unsubscribed to any list (including the current one), will not be updated or imported.
- This list: Any contacts that have previously unsubscribed from the list you're currently importing into will not be updated or imported. However, they will still be updated or imported if they have unsubscribed from any of your other lists. For example, let's say you're about to import into your 'eNews' list, which contact bobsmith@xyz.donuts is subscribed to (but he's unsubscribed from everything else). Even so, he will still be updated or imported when you use this setting.
- Upload as is: Any contacts unsubscribed from the current list will be updated with any new information you might have in the spreadsheet. For example, if unsubscribed contact bobsmith@xyz.donuts currently has the first name 'Bob', but in the spreadsheet you're uploading he is now known as 'Robert', the system will update this information for you on his record. When selecting this option, their subscription status will also change to 'subscribed' again.
- All of my lists: Any contacts in your import that have previously unsubscribed to any list (including the current one), will not be updated or imported.
- If an address has permanently bounced:
- Deactivate the contact: Contact will be uploaded but will be deactivated and not be able to sent email or SMS messages.
- Do not upload the contact: Contact will be ignored and will not be uploaded.
- Upload as is: Contact will be uploaded as an active contact and ignore previous deactivations.
- Deactivate the contact: Contact will be uploaded but will be deactivated and not be able to sent email or SMS messages.
Let's take a look at the different options available on the Preferences tab...
- This tab allows you to set the Preferences for the contacts about to be uploaded. Find out more about our Email Preferences function.
Other Upload Methods
The third way to upload contacts, is from Other Apps. Click the relevant link below to learn more about uploading from these apps;