Importing contacts allows you to quickly populate your CRM with existing data from spreadsheets or other systems.
- CSV (Comma-Separated Values)
- Files must use UTF-8 encoding
CSV Requirements
Required Fields
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|
firstName | First name | John |
lastName | Last name | Smith |
phone | Phone number (E.164) | +14155551234 |
Optional Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|
email | Email address |
company | Company name |
title | Job title |
address | Full address |
city | City |
state | State/Province |
zip | ZIP/Postal code |
country | Country |
notes | Additional notes |
Import Process
Step 1: Prepare Your CSV
- Export your data to CSV format
- Ensure required columns are present
- Format phone numbers to E.164 (include country code)
Step 2: Start Import
- Go to Contacts
- Click Import in the top right
- Click Choose File and select your CSV
Step 3: Map Fields
- The system auto-matches common field names
- Map any unmatched columns manually
- Preview the first few rows
Step 4: Handle Duplicates
Choose how to handle existing contacts with matching data:
| Option | Behavior |
|---|
| Skip | Don’t import contacts that already exist |
| Update | Update existing contacts with new data |
| Import All | Import all contacts regardless of duplicates |
Step 5: Import
- Click Start Import
- Watch the progress indicator
- Review the summary when complete
Phone Number Handling
Consuelo normalizes all phone numbers to E.164 format during import:
4155551234 → +14155551234(415) 555-1234 → +14155551234
This ensures consistent formatting and enables local presence features.
Troubleshooting
Import Failed
- Check CSV formatting
- Verify required fields are present
- Ensure UTF-8 encoding
Wrong Field Mapping
- Review column headers in your CSV
- Remap fields in step 3
Duplicate Errors
- Choose a different duplicate handling strategy
- Clean up your data before importing
Large imports (over 10,000 contacts) may take several minutes. Don’t close the
browser window until complete.
