Skip to main content

Importing Contacts

  • Updated

The Import Contacts feature allows you to easily and efficiently upload multiple contacts from an external source such as a customer database.

Importing Contacts in Bulk

Important - Before you import any contacts into the Messaging Hub, you'll need to prepare your contact data first:

▶ You'll need to ensure your contact list is saved as a .csv or .xls file - the optimal file format is CSV UTF-8, Comma delimited.

▶ If you don't add the international prefix to your contact numbers, the Messaging Hub will assume you're importing numbers local to your preset location in your account settings, and will validate accordingly - this means that international numbers will be rejected without the correct prefix being added.

▶ With local numbers, you don't need to add the leading zero to the number to successfully import - for example, if your spreadsheet cells are formatted as "numbers" then a phone number may appear as "412345678" as opposed to "0412345678", both formats will be accepted for import.
▶ You can include additional data to your contact list which can then be mapped to the custom fields of each contact profile.

Creating

1. In the menu, click on the  Menu  icon, then select either All Contacts or Contact Groups as the import contacts option appears in both.

2. Click on Import contacts at the top right of the page:

Creating

3. Upload your data file to the Messaging Hub using either the Browse function or Drag & Drop your file straight into the upload window:

Creating

  • You can select which pre-existing groups to which you would like all contacts imported in the bottom field under Add to contact groups (optional).
  • You have the option of unsubscribing all of the contacts in the upload - for example, if you're bulk uploading blacklists from other systems.

4. Match the columns in your data file to the various fields in the contact profile:

Creating

  • The system will attempt to auto-detect the mobile phone numbers from your spreadsheet; however, if the data that is pulled into the #mobilenumber# field is incorrect, you can change it to the correct column.
  • After you have selected a column to match to a field you will see some sample data from the original spreadsheet.

5. If your contact database includes additional information (e.g. in the example shown we have fields such as "Division", "Role" and "Office"), then these can be mapped to the Custom Fields in the contact profile:

Creating

6. You can also assign your contacts to existing groups by typing the name(s) of the group(s) in the field at the bottom of the screen.

7. If your file contains a column for Contact Groups, use this dropdown to map the field:

Creating

8. Once you've aligned your data correctly, click Import at the bottom right of the screen to complete the action.

Related articles