Importing Contacts to New or Existing Lists

Once you have structured your .CSV file using the format above you can begin importing contacts to a new or existing list in your account.

  1. Click Contacts in SharpSpring's left toolbar.
  2. Click  12more.png Options > Import Contacts.

    Click to enlarge.

  3. At the bottom of the Import Tool page, select the appropriate delimiter from the Select delimiter drop-down menu.
  4. Select the appropriate date format from the Select date format drop-down menu.
  5. Select the appropriate time format from the Select time format drop-down menu.
  6. Click Choose a File to select the applicable .CSV file from your computer. 
  7. Click Upload .CSV File.

    Importing_and_Mapping_Contacts_from_CSV_Files_3-4-5-6-7.png

  8. Select either New List or Use Existing List, under the List Settings section on the Import Contacts page that automatically opens. Depending on the list type you have chosen:
    • New lists: Enter a name for the list.
    • Existing lists: Enter the name of the desired existing list to add contacts to.
  9. In the How Should We Handle Duplicates? drop-down menu select one of the following:
    • Do not update: Duplicate fields and information are not updated.
    • Update only new: Adds information from a new column.
    • Update new and existing: Updates all fields and information in the record.
  10. In the Import Unassigned Leads in List As... drop-down menu select one of the following:
    • Open
    • Unqualified Leads
    • Qualified Leads
    • Contacts
    • Customers
  11. Optionally, if you have chosen to update duplicates in step 9, you can select the Overwrite Existing Lead Status? checkbox.
  12. Optionally, you can select the Assign to a campaign? checkbox and from the drop-down menu that appears, select the desired campaign.
  13. Optionally, you can select the Assign leads to a particular user? checkbox and from the drop-down menu that appears, select the desired user.


    Click to enlarge.

  14. In the Mappings section, confirm or edit the data that each CSV column is mapped to. For more information about mapping contact information correctly to fields, review our guide on Mapping fields for List Members.
    Important: Creating custom fields with the same name as system fields results in those system fields being rendered invisible and unusable in the platform. 
     
    Note: Click the Make Custom Field box to import the column as a custom field.
  15. Click Import.

    Importing_and_Mapping_Contacts_from_CSV_Files_14-15.png

  16. Type Confirm in the pop-up window that appears.
  17. Click the I confirm that my unsubscribed contacts are mapped correctly and that this list is not purchased checkbox.
  18. Click Import.

    Importing_and_Mapping_Contacts_from_CSV_Files_16-17-18.png