Import Contacts: Simple
Overview
Importing your contacts is a crucial first step in setting up your CRM. The 'Simple Contact Import' feature provides a straightforward way to upload basic contact lists from a CSV file. This method is ideal for users getting started or those with less complex data sets. It allows you to quickly populate your CRM by matching columns from your file to standard fields in the database through an easy-to-use mapping wizard.
If your import needs are more complex (e.g., importing notes, handling intricate custom field data), the 'Advanced Import' option might be more suitable. This guide focuses specifically on the 'Simple Contact Import' process.
Simple Contact Import Video
To Use Simple Contact Import
1. Prepare Your File
- Ensure your contact list is saved in CSV (Comma Separated Values) format. This format is commonly available as an export option from spreadsheet software or other CRM systems.
- Organize your data with clear column headers like 'First Name', 'Last Name', 'Email', 'Phone', etc for easier mapping..
2. Navigate to Import
- In your account, hover over the Profile Picture Menu and choose Data Migration.
- Select Simple Contact Import.
3. Configure and Upload File
- On the import options screen, choose your file by dragging and dropping it or by clicking to select it from your computer.
- Before uploading, you can assign a Category, Tag, or Source to the entire batch of contacts and set rules for handling duplicates.
4. Map Fields
- The mapping wizard will display columns from your CSV file on the left and corresponding database fields on the right.
- The system will attempt to automatically match fields based on your file's headers; however, you should always double-check these matches.
- Use the dropdown menus to correct any mis-mapped columns.
- Select 'Skip This Field' for any columns in your file that you do not want to import.
5. Run Import
- Once you are satisfied that all fields are correctly mapped, click 'Run Import'.
6. Review Results
- After processing, a report will show how many contacts were successfully imported and how many duplicates were skipped.
- From this screen, you have the option to Send Imported Contacts to Group Actions if you want to perform an immediate action with the new list.
Simple Contact Import: Questions and Answers
Q: What is Simple Contact Import used for?
A: Simple Contact Import is used for quickly and easily importing basic contact lists from a CSV file into your CRM. It's ideal for straightforward lists without complex data like notes.
Q: What file format is required?
A: You must use a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file.
Q: Where do I find the Simple Contact Import feature?
A: You can find it under the Profile Picture Menu > Data Migration > Import Contacts.
Q: Does the system automatically match my file's columns to the database fields?
A: Yes, the system attempts to automatically map fields based on common column headers, but it's crucial to review and verify these mappings before running the import.
Q: What if a column from my file doesn't map to a field correctly?
A: You can manually change the mapping for any column using the dropdown menu next to it in the mapping wizard.
Q: What happens if I have columns in my file I don't want to import?
A: You can select 'Skip This Field' from the dropdown menu for that column during the mapping step.
Q: How are duplicate contacts handled during a Simple Import?
A: By default, the system identifies duplicates based on matching email addresses and will skip importing them. The final report will show you how many contacts were skipped for this reason.
Q: What's the difference between Simple Contact Import and Advanced Import?
A: Simple Contact Import is for basic contact lists. Advanced Import is used for more complex data, such as importing contact notes.
Q: What should I do after the import is complete?
A: Always review the import results report. It's also recommended to check a few of the newly imported contacts to ensure their information was added correctly. If there are any issues, you can delete the entire import batch from the Data Migration screen.
Video Transcript
This is the Tag’s setting screen.
Tags, like Categories and Category 2 – are just a different way to categorize your contacts.
With Category and Category 2 you can only assign one, to each contact. With Tags, a single contact can have multiple Tags.
Tags are a great way to classify your contacts.
Once you have a Tag assigned to each contact, your whole database will make a lot more sense.
When you first get the system, the default Tags are: friends and family, review this contact, unfriendly person and VIP.
These are just placeholder examples to get you thinking… You can use these, change them or add as many Tags as you would like.
When your contacts have Tags assigned, you will be able to search and bring up all of the contacts with that Tag (in seconds).
One of the easy ways to do it – is right here.