Editing CSV file import (section)

=== Step-by-step instructions ===
Follow these steps to prepare and import your CSV file:

1. **Create a CSV file**: Start by making a copy of your master contact file. Work on the copy to avoid losing any original data.

2. **Format your CSV file**:
   - **Columns**: Only include columns you intend to map to fields in ActiveCampaign. Remove any unneeded columns.
   - **Rows**: Delete all empty rows and any rows without valid email addresses or phone numbers, as these contacts will not be imported.

3. **Ensure proper field formatting**: 
   - Date fields must be formatted as YYYY-MM-DD, without spaces or slashes.
   - For **multiple tags**, separate them by commas (e.g., Tag1,Tag2).
   - When importing multiple values for a single field (like checkboxes), use the double-pipe || delimiter (e.g., Value1||Value2).
   - Verify that all email addresses are spelled correctly and follow standard formatting.
   - Confirm that all phone numbers adhere to E. 164 formatting (e.g., +13125555555).
   - Enclose all special and accented characters in double quotes and ensure your CSV uses UTF-8 encoding.
   - Remove any line breaks from the data, as they can cause import errors.
   - Avoid using emojis; their presence can halt the entire import process.

4. **Utilize the provided sample CSV**: To streamline the formatting process, you can download and use the [sample CSV file](https://d226aj4ao1t61q.cloudfront.net/e7xdqc20_sampleimportfile.csv) as a template.

5. **Break up large files**: If your import file contains a substantial amount of data, consider breaking it into smaller files. It is recommended to wait at least one hour between imports to prevent slow processing times and to troubleshoot any issues effectively.