Import contact data manually to Engage

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The import function is of great use when you want to import new contacts, if you want to group contacts with labels, or when updating existing contacts using a CSV file.

Step-by-step guide

1. Upload file

Go to Contacts in the left-hand menu, choose Import/Export and then Import contacts. Choose your file and then select which contact type to import.

The contact type is a mandatory field and a file should only contain one type to avoid duplicates. Click Next. Read more about how to prepare your file in this article.

2. Indicate how to interpret the file content

You usually don't need to make any changes, but if you're on a Mac computer we recommend changing the text encoding field to “UTF8”. This ensures the content is read correctly. Check if your data looks correct in the preview. Click Next.

3. Check field mapping

Ensure the header name in your file matches the receiving field in Engage. If "not mapped" appears it means Engage could not find a mapping field, and you need to manually pick one from the drop-down.

Next, select if your contacts should be updated if the key field matches (there is always a mandatory field for a certain contact type, for example, email). You can also choose to not import contacts from your file if the key matches.

4. Cross-check and import

Take a final look, and if everything looks right: proceed with the import. Once the import is completed the interface will show you the status of updated contacts and the number of new contacts.

Bulk edit and import contact data

By bulk editing existing contacts and importing CSV files with the Engage Contact ID as a key mapper, it is possible to manipulate groups of contacts outside of Engage without the need of mapping key identifiers and public data, such as social security numbers, phone numbers or email addresses.

The Contact ID could still be considered as sensitive personal data, depending on setup and the possibility to identify the person outside of Engage with the Contact ID. Make sure to follow your guidelines to be GDPR compliant when exporting, handling, and importing data.