Import contacts

```mediawiki Navigation: Main_Page > Contacts > Importing > Import contacts

How do I import contacts using the copy and paste option?

The copy and paste import option allows you to quickly import contacts into ActiveCampaign. This method is particularly useful for shorter lists or when you have a limited number of custom fields. Understanding how to efficiently import your contacts can greatly enhance your marketing efforts and keep your contact lists organized.

How to Access this Feature

To access the copy and paste import feature: 1. Navigate to the Contacts Overview page within your ActiveCampaign dashboard. 2. Click on the Import button located on the page.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to import contacts using the copy and paste option:

1. **Initiate Import**: From the Contacts Overview page, click on the Import button.

2. **Select Copy & Paste Option**: Click the Copy & paste your contacts link.

3. **Input Contacts**: A copy and paste import modal will appear. Here’s how to format your list for import:

  - If you are importing only email addresses, list each one on a separate line, like this:
    ```
    sarah@test.com
    ellen@test.com
    ```
  - If entering names, email addresses, and custom fields, format like this, with items separated by commas and no spaces:
    ```
    Sarah,Connor,sarah@test.com,October Import
    Ellen,Ripley,ellen@test.com,October Import
    ```
  - When pasting from a spreadsheet, there's no need to use commas.

4. **Proceed with the Import**: Once you have entered your contacts, click the Next button.

5. **Map Your Fields**: Your file will process, and you will be taken to the import screen. Here, you can map the columns in your file to fields in your account by using the dropdown for each field.

  - If there’s a column with information you do not wish to import, select Do Not Import this Field.
  - To create a new field from this import, click on [Add New Field] and follow the prompts.
  - Check the Field Values column to confirm your mapping; it will show the first row of data from your CSV.

6. **Select Lists (Optional)**: Click each list where you want to add contacts. You can add contacts to multiple lists.

7. **Add Tags (Optional)**: In this step, type any tags you wish to apply to all contacts being imported. It is a best practice to apply a tag indicating the source of these contacts for future reference.

8. **Configure Import Options**: Click the Import Options dropdown and choose one:

  - Import as Contact: Adds the contact to your ActiveCampaign account.
  - Import as Excluded: Adds the contact to your Exclusion List upon import.
  - If you have chosen any list in the Select Lists section, additional options will appear for specific import statuses:
    - Import as Active Contact: Subscribes the contact to the chosen list.
    - Import as Unsubscribed Contact: Adds the contact as unsubscribed to the chosen list.
    - Import as Excluded Email Address: Adds the contact to your Exclusion List.

9. **Update Existing Contacts (Optional)**: Check the Update Existing Contacts box if you want the system to look for existing matching email addresses and update contact details from your file.

10. **Access Advanced Options (Optional)**: Click the arrow next to Advanced Options to view additional settings:

   - Trigger Webhooks: Choose to turn off completely or trigger selected webhooks upon import.
   - Trigger Automations: Decide if imported contacts enter relevant automations.
   - Create field options when importing new custom field values: Opt to create new options for dropdowns and other fields that do not match existing entries.

11. **Final Import**: Once everything is configured, click the Import Now button to start the import process.

The duration of the import process will depend on how many contacts you are pasting into the system.

Configuration Options and Settings

During the import process, you will encounter multiple options which allow you to customize how your contacts are handled:

- **Import as Contact**: This option ensures that imported emails become active contacts in your account. - **Import as Excluded**: This option is useful if you want to keep certain email addresses from being active contacts. - **Update Existing Contacts**: This check will allow the system to modify any existing contacts using details found in your import. - **Trigger Webhooks**: Managing webhook triggers allows you to sync various actions with other systems you may be using. - **Trigger Automations**: Automations can include actions like tagging contacts upon import. - **Create Field Options**: For new custom field values, allowing their creation can help accommodate variations in data entry.

Best Practices and Tips

- Always use clear formatting when copying and pasting information to prevent errors. - Utilize tagging to keep track of the source of imported contacts, aiding in organization and segmentation later. - If possible, review existing contacts to avoid duplicates and ensure your list is as clean as possible prior to import. - Test your import with a small number of contacts to ensure everything is functioning as expected.

Common Use Cases

- Importing email subscribers from an offline event. - Merging lists from different sources into a single cohesive list. - Importing customers from a completed event or promotion, tagged accordingly for future marketing efforts.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during the import process: - Ensure that your data is formatted correctly. - Check for any error messages indicating field mapping issues or duplicates. - Review that your email addresses are valid and correctly formatted. - Consult your accounts’ import logs to identify any specific problems related to the process.

FAQ

Q1: What will happen if I try to import a duplicate email address? A1: The system will alert you with a message indicating that the email is a duplicate. You can choose to update the existing contact or skip the import for that address.

Q2: Can I import contacts without mapping fields? A2: No, you need to map at least some fields to ensure accurate data transfer into your ActiveCampaign account.

Q3: Is there a limit to the number of contacts I can import at once? A3: While there is no strict limit stated, it’s best to import in manageable batches for optimal processing.

Q4: Will imported contacts automatically be added to any automations? A4: If you chose the option to trigger automations during the import process, yes, they will enter automations they can trigger.

Q5: How can I check the results of my import? A5: After the import is complete, you can view the import results directly from the import summary screen or your account logs.

Q6: What if I have custom fields that are not recognized during the import? A6: You can choose to create new fields during the import process for any custom values that don’t match existing options.

Q7: Can I cancel an import once I've started it? A7: Generally, it is advisable to not interrupt the import process; however, you can close your browser tab or window as a last resort.

For further information on import options, consider checking additional resources in the guidance documentation of ActiveCampaign. ```