Import contacts in bulk

In this guide you will learn to import contacts in bulk to save time when you need to create multiple contacts simultaneously.

When to use bulk import?

Bulk import is useful when:

• You need to create a large number of contacts quickly
• You have an existing database that you want to migrate to uContact
• You receive customer lists from external systems
• You want to update contact information efficiently

How to import contacts in bulk?

Importing contacts is very simple! Below we show you the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Prepare the file

1. Create a file in one of the following formats: XLSX, ODS, CSV, or TXT.
2. The file must have a maximum size of 50MB.
3. Include one contact per line of the file.

Step 2: Define the fields

The fields you can include in your file are:

Mandatory fields

• Name: contact's full name

Optional fields

• Phone number: contact's phone number (with country code)
• Email: contact's email address

Important!

It is essential to respect the order of the fields. If you want to omit any optional field, leave an empty space in its position.

Step 3: Correct field order

Below we detail the order your file should follow:

1. Name (mandatory)
2. Phone number (optional)
3. Email (optional)

The contact must have at least a phone number or an email.

How to execute the import?

1. Access the Campaigns module from the Administrator menu.
2. Select the campaign where you want to import contacts.
3. Click on the Contacts section.
4. Press the Import button located in the upper right corner.
5. Select your prepared file and click Upload.
6. Verify the data preview and confirm the import.

Global vs specific contacts

Keep in mind that you can import contacts at two levels:

• Global contacts: available in all campaigns of the system. They are imported from the Campaigns > Contacts menu on the main screen.
• Specific contacts: only available in a particular campaign. They are imported from each individual campaign's configuration.

Validation and errors

During import, the system will validate:

• File format: that the file is of the correct type
• Size: that it does not exceed 50MB
• Mandatory fields: that each line has at least the contact name
• Duplicates: the system will notify you if it detects duplicate contacts

If there are errors, you will receive a detailed report indicating which lines have problems so you can correct them.

Important considerations

Key points to keep in mind

• Number format: Include the country code in phone numbers (e.g.: +598 for Uruguay).
• Special characters: Avoid using special characters in names that may cause encoding problems.
• File size: If you have more than 50MB of contacts, divide the import into multiple files.
• Duplicates: Before importing, verify that there are no duplicate contacts in your file.
• Backup: Always save a copy of the original file before importing.
• Test first: If it's your first import, test with a small file (5-10 contacts) to validate the format.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I import duplicate contacts?

The system will detect duplicate contacts and allow you to decide whether to:

• Skip duplicates (keep existing ones)
• Update existing contacts with new information
• Create new records anyway

Can I update existing contacts through import?

Yes, you can use bulk import to update information of existing contacts. The system will identify contacts by their name or phone number.

What format is better to use: CSV, XLSX, or other?

CSV is generally the best option because:

• It is compatible with almost all systems
• It has smaller file size
• It is easier to validate and correct errors

Can I import contacts without phone number or email?

Yes, the only mandatory field is the name. However, it is recommended to include at least one contact method (phone or email) to be able to communicate with the customer.

How many contacts can I import at once?

There is no specific quantity limit, only the file size limit (50MB). This could represent thousands of contacts depending on the information included.

Does the import execute immediately?

For small files (less than 1000 contacts), the import is almost instantaneous. For larger files, it may take a few minutes. You will receive a notification when the process finishes.