Import contacts

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How to Import Contacts into ActiveCampaign from a CSV File

With ActiveCampaign, you can easily import contacts into your account from a CSV file using the built-in import tool. This feature is crucial for users transitioning from another email marketing or marketing automation provider, allowing you to retain your valuable lists, contacts, custom fields, and other necessary data seamlessly. This article will walk you through the steps to import contacts efficiently, ensuring that you can get your email campaigns up and running without losing any critical information.

Introduction

The import tool provided by ActiveCampaign enables you to map columns from your CSV file to fields within your account. This capability allows for considerable flexibility, including the option to create new custom contact fields, apply unique tags, and choose whether to import contacts as Active or Excluded. This importing feature is essential for maintaining and building your marketing automation strategies.

In this article, you'll learn:

• How to access the import feature.
• Step-by-step instructions for importing contacts from a CSV file.
• Configuration options and settings that can be customized during the import process.
• Best practices to ensure successful imports.
• Common troubleshooting tips to resolve potential issues.
• Frequently asked questions about the import feature.

How to Access This Feature

To access the import contacts feature, follow these simple steps: 1. Log into your ActiveCampaign account. 2. Locate and click on Contacts in the left menu. 3. Click on the Import button, which will take you to the import options.

Step-by-Step Instructions

To import contacts from your CSV file, follow these steps:

1. Click the Import from File button.
2. A file browser will appear. Navigate to your CSV file, select it, and click open.
3. Once the file processes, you will be redirected to the import screen where you can begin mapping fields.
4. For each field, you need to map the columns in your file to the fields in your account. Click the dropdown for each field to make selections.

  * If you wish not to import data from a specific column, select Do Not Import this Field.
  * To create a new field directly from the import page, click [Add New Field] and follow the prompts.
  * The Field Values column will show the first row of data from your CSV, allowing you to confirm your mappings.
  * If duplicate fields are detected, an error will be indicated. Choose different destinations for each mapped field to fix this.

1. Select the lists to which you want to add the contacts by checking the appropriate options. You can add contacts to multiple lists as needed.
2. Optionally, type any tags you wish to apply to the imported contacts in the Add Tags section. For better organization, consider applying a tag indicating the source of the contacts.
3. Under Import Options, select one of the following based on whether or not you selected a list:

  * Import as Contact – Adds contacts to your account (only if no list is selected).
  * Import as Excluded – Adds contacts to your Exclusion List (only if no list is selected).
  * Import as Active Contact – Adds contacts to the selected list(s).
  * Import as Unsubscribed Contact – Adds contacts but with an "Unsubscribed" status for the selected list(s).
  * Import as Excluded Email Address – Adds contacts to the Exclusion List (if lists are selected).

1. Optionally, check the Update Existing Contacts box to merge any matching email addresses or exact phone numbers with existing contacts in your account. Note: Phone-only contacts must be enabled to use phone numbers as unique identifiers.
2. The Advanced Options feature allows you to adjust additional settings:

  * To manage webhook triggers, choose between turning them off or triggering specific actions upon contact import.
  * To control automation triggers, you may decide to allow or disallow contacts from entering automations they could trigger during the import.
  * Field options for new custom fields can also be created during import, depending on whether or not the values in your CSV match existing options.

1. Finally, when you have configured all necessary settings, click the Import Now button.

The time taken to complete the contact import process will depend on the size of the CSV file you are importing.

Configuration Options and Settings

When importing contacts into ActiveCampaign, several configuration options allow you to customize the process:

• Import as Contact - This option adds the newly imported contacts to your main contact list.
• Import as Excluded - This allows you to automatically exclude certain contacts from your marketing efforts.
• Import as Active Contact & Import as Unsubscribed Contact - These options dictate the status of contacts with respect to the list they’re being added to.
• Update Existing Contacts - Enabling this allows any new data from the import to overwrite existing contact data.
• Trigger Webhooks - Control whether webhooks are activated during the import process.
• Trigger Automations - Allows you to define if imported contacts will enter any active automations that they are eligible for.
• Create Field Options - This toggle allows for the creation of new options in custom fields during the import process.

Best Practices and Tips

- Before importing, ensure that your CSV file is correctly formatted and adheres to the necessary guidelines. For tips on preparing your CSV file, consult "How to prepare your CSV file for importing contacts." - Each contact must have a unique email or phone number to avoid duplicates, as only the first instance will be imported. - Apply tags for organization, enabling you to segment your contacts more effectively later on. - Be clear on the implications of the Update Existing Contacts option, as it may change existing data if checked.

Troubleshooting Section

If you encounter issues during the importing process, consider the following troubleshooting tips: - Ensure your CSV file is saved correctly as a CSV format and manually check for any formatting errors. - Verify that all contacts have unique email addresses or phone numbers; duplicates will be ignored beyond the first instance. - If you encounter mapping errors, check for duplicate fields and confirm that each field is mapped correctly. - For any technical issues that cannot be resolved, consult the ActiveCampaign support documentation or contact support for assistance.

Related Features

For further information and extended functionalities related to contacts, you may refer to the following features:

• Contacts - General management features for your contacts.
• Tags - Learn about tagging and segmenting your contacts.
• Automation - Explore how to automate your marketing processes after importing contacts.

FAQ

Q1: Can I import contacts without an email address or phone number? A1: No, each contact in your CSV must have either an email address or a phone number.

Q2: What happens if multiple contacts share the same email address? A2: Only the first instance of the contact will be imported; others will be skipped.

Q3: Can I create a new list during the import process? A3: No, you must create a list beforehand if you want to assign contacts to it during the import.

Q4: How do I know if my contacts have been imported successfully? A4: After completing the import process, you can view your import results to check for any errors or confirmations.

Q5: Can I import tags during the contact import? A5: Yes, you can apply tags to contacts during the import process.

Q6: What file formats are supported for importing contacts? A6: The import tool only works with CSV file formats. Ensure your file is saved as a CSV before importing.

Q7: Can I prevent imported contacts from triggering automations? A7: Yes, you can choose not to trigger automations during the import process in the Advanced Options section.

By following these guidelines and best practices, you can ensure a smooth and effective import of contacts into your ActiveCampaign account. ```