Legacy: Import contacts

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Legacy: Import contacts to ActiveCampaign from Google Sheets

Introduction

The Legacy: Import contacts to ActiveCampaign from Google Sheets feature allows users to sync contacts seamlessly from their Google Sheets into ActiveCampaign. This functionality is essential for marketers who want to maintain up-to-date contact lists and streamline their communication efforts. By effectively utilizing this import tool, users can ensure their marketing campaigns are directed toward the right audience, optimizing engagement and outreach efforts.

This feature is particularly important as it enables the automatic importation of contacts, allowing for real-time updates to your email lists without the hassle of manual data entry.

How to Access This Feature

To access the Legacy: Import contacts feature, follow these simple steps:

1. Click on the Contacts option from the left menu of your ActiveCampaign dashboard. 2. On the Contacts Overview page, select Import. 3. From the available import options, locate and select Google Spreadsheets.

This will guide you to the necessary integration process for importing contacts from Google Sheets.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these detailed steps to prepare your Google Sheet and set up the automatic import:

Prepare Your Google Sheet

Before beginning the import process, ensure your Google Sheet is formatted correctly:

1. **Column Naming and Order:** The first three columns of your spreadsheet should specifically be:

  - Email
  - First name
  - Last name
  
  Although you may name the column headers anything, they must be in this order and position for the import to work correctly.

2. **Custom Fields:** Custom fields should start from column D, and you can name these as required. Ensure they contain text values since the system utilizes the header row to determine field names.

3. **Remove Blank Rows:** It is crucial to remove any extra blank rows at the end of your sheet. This ensures that the system correctly calculates the starting row during future imports.

Set Up the Automatic Import

Once your Google Sheet is adequately prepared, follow these steps to set up the automatic import:

1. In your ActiveCampaign dashboard, click on Contacts to navigate to the Contacts Overview page. 2. Click on Import. 3. Locate Google Spreadsheets from the list of automated imports and click on it. 4. The Google Docs modal will appear. Click Next. 5. If prompted, log into your Google account. 6. Click Allow to grant ActiveCampaign access to your Google Spreadsheets. 7. (Optional) Select which list you wish to add contacts to from your spreadsheet and click Next. 8. Choose your import option: You can select to either import contacts and automatically import new contacts in the future, or simply import contacts without auto-importing new entries subsequently. 9. Select your spreadsheet from the Spreadsheet dropdown, and then click Next. 10. Choose the worksheet you wish to work with from the Worksheet dropdown, then click Next.

Your Google Spreadsheet is now connected to ActiveCampaign, with contacts being automatically imported into your account as per your selected configurations.

Resetting the Automatic Import

If you need to sync contact data from the top of your sheet the next time the sync runs, you can utilize the Reset button within the interface. This option allows you to refresh the imported data as needed.

Configuration Options and Settings

Understanding the configuration options available in this feature is crucial to optimizing your import process. Here are some key options:

- **Email:** This is the primary identifier for each contact in ActiveCampaign. - **First Name and Last Name:** These are mandatory fields for every contact entry. - **Custom Fields:** Starting from column D, you can create custom fields that may contain any text values. - **Automatic Import Options:** Decide whether to enable auto-import for future contacts or perform a one-time import.

Best Practices and Tips

To make the most out of the Legacy: Import contacts feature, consider the following best practices:

1. Always ensure that your Google Sheet is formatted according to the required specifications before the import process. 2. Regularly review and update your Google Sheets to maintain accurate and relevant contact information. 3. Use the Reset function periodically to ensure that changes in your Google Sheets are reflected in ActiveCampaign promptly. 4. Keep a backup of your Google Sheets data outside of ActiveCampaign for additional security.

Common Use Cases with Examples

1. **Regular Updating of Contact Lists:** Marketers can maintain fresh contact data by regularly updating their Google Sheets, which syncs automatically to ActiveCampaign. 2. **Segmentation for Targeted Campaigns:** By using custom fields in the import, businesses can better segment their contacts and enhance campaign targeting. 3. **Event Registrations:** Users can import lists of attendees from events directly into ActiveCampaign, making post-event follow-ups streamlined and efficient.

Troubleshooting

If you face issues during the import process, verify the following:

- Ensure that your Google Sheet's first three columns are accurately labeled as required. - Confirm that there are no blank rows at the end of your sheet, as these can disrupt the import process. - Check for any errors in configuration, especially related to custom fields.

FAQ

1. Can I create new syncs with this feature?

  - No, creating new syncs is no longer possible; you can only edit or delete existing syncs.
  

2. How often does ActiveCampaign sync data from Google Sheets?

  - ActiveCampaign processes 1,000 rows of data every 30 minutes.

3. What will happen if I add a new row to my Google Sheet?

  - Only new rows added to the bottom of the synced sheet will be imported during the next sync.

4. Can all types of custom fields be synced with Google Sheets?

  - No, only text input-type custom fields can be synced; other field types will not match.

5. How do I reset an import?

  - Click the Reset button to sync contact data from the top of your sheet during the next import.

6. What happens to deletions in Google Sheets?

  - Deletions made in the listed Google Sheet will not reflect in ActiveCampaign with this legacy method.

7. Is there a limit on how many contacts I can import?

  - You can import up to 1,000 rows at a time every 30 minutes. Additional rows will be processed in subsequent syncs.

By following this comprehensive guide, users will be well-equipped to navigate the Legacy: Import contacts to ActiveCampaign from Google Sheets feature effectively, ensuring a flawless integration of their contact data. ```