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Import & Upload Contacts 🎬

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Vision6
  • Updated

Last updated
20210419
Article type
Step-by-step
Applies to
Starter, Business, Pro-Marketer
Special contents
Video (Upload via CSV file)
Video (Upload via Copy & Paste)

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). Additionally, if you spot an error with one of your links, we may be able to correct it for you - but only if you were included on the original send from that batch.

 

How-to Guide

Uploading Contacts via a File

  1. From the sidebar, select Contacts.
  2. Click the Import Contacts button.
  3. Now choose Upload a file, as shown below.
    import-method.PNG

    File size limits apply on uploaded files. For CSV, TAB and TXT files, the maximum allowable file size is 10MB. For XLS & XLSX files, the maximum allowable file size is 3MB.

  4. In the next section, select the Folder and List to upload your contacts into - or, create a new list by selecting the Add New option.
    chooselist.PNG

    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.

  5. Next, click Browse and locate the file you'd like to upload from your computer. 
  6. Click Next to continue.
  7. 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 your file includes column headers, you may need to navigate to Advanced Options to enable the File includes header rows, this will prevent your header row being uploaded as contact.

    contactimport.PNGfieldselection.PNG
  8. Once you have setup your columns and fields correctly, click Finish importing to complete the process.
  9. 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.

    Confirm_Billing.png

  10. 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.

    Summary_Upload.png

 

Video (Uploading Contacts via a File)

 

Uploading Contacts via Copy & Paste

  1. From the sidebar, select Contacts.
  2. Click the Import Contacts button.
  3. Now choose Copy & Paste, as shown below.
    import-method.PNG
  4. In the next section, select the Folder and List to upload your contacts into - or, create a new list by selecting the Add New option.
    chooselist.PNG
  5. 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.
  6. Click Next to continue.
  7. 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.contactimport.PNGfieldselection.PNG
  8. Once you have setup your columns and fields correctly, click Finish importing to complete the process.
  9. 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.

    Confirm_Billing.png

  10. 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.

    Summary_Upload.png

 

Video (Uploading Contacts via Copy & Paste)

 

Advanced Options

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 Advanced Options during the upload process.

import-settings-dialog.PNG

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: contacts will not be uploaded that have previously unsubscribed to any list
    • This list: contacts will not be uploaded if they have previously unsubscribed from this list, but will be uploaded even if they have unsubscribed from any other list.
    • Upload as is: contacts will be uploaded regardless of previous unsubscribes
  • 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

Let's take a look at the different options available on the Preferences tab...

 

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;

 

Contact Colours & Icons

When viewing the contents of a contact list in our platform (ie. the individual contact records), you may notice coloured icons next to the contact record - which can vary from contact to contact.

Below, you'll find an image outlining the various display possibilities. A description follows underneath the graphic.

image2021-4-15_15-55-13.png

Legend:

  • Grey (subscribed & active): A subscribed & active contact will show the email and/or mobile (whichever is relevant) as grey.
  • Blue (subscribed & confirmed): A subscribed contact that has been confirmed via email or subscribed by web form will show the email and/or mobile (whichever is relevant) as blue.
  • Yellow (unsubscribed, or deactivated + unsubscribed): If a contact is unsubscribed the email and/or mobile (whichever is relevant) will show as yellow.
  • Red (deactivated): If a contact is deactivated the email and mobile will show as red. A contact will generally auto-deactivate on a hard bounce.
  • Black (blocked): If a contact is blocked the email and mobile will show as black.

 

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