---
title: "Automate Contact File Import"
slug: "automate-contact-file-import"
updated: 2024-03-07T13:21:53Z
published: 2024-03-07T13:21:53Z
canonical: "docs.mapp.com/automate-contact-file-import"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.mapp.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Automate Contact File Import

## Scenario​

Automate regular import of a CSV, XML or text file that contains contact data. You define the frequency you need.

## Prerequisites​

- You must import contacts into an existing Mapp Engage group. Create this group before you start.
- You can import contacts from a CSV, XML or text file. The maximum size of the import file is 50 MB.
- Make sure the file is formatted correctly.

## Related Topics​

- [XML Format for Contact Imports​](/v1/docs/xml-format-for-contact-imports)
- [CSV Format for Contact Imports​](/v1/docs/csv-format-for-contact-imports)

## Procedure​

1. In the ​Automation​ area, create a new whiteboard.
2. Enter a name and description for the whiteboard.
3. Drag a ​Time​ module and a ​Time-based job​ module onto the whiteboard.
4. Drag and drop between the ![](https://cdn.document360.io/554b9b98-6720-4d8b-9919-c7b203d72648/Images/Documentation/2e6430af-cefd-4c66-924b-e76700dd15de.png) symbols to connect the modules.
5. Click the icon on each module to edit the settings. Define the module settings as follows:

**Time Module**

| Field | Entry |
| --- | --- |
| Name | Enter a name for the module. |
| Date | ​Recurring Date​ |
| Time | Define the desired schedule - for example, weekly or monthly. You can define the frequency you need. |
| Period | Day(s), Week(s), or Month(s) |
| Value | 1 |

**Time-based Job Module**

| Field | Entry |
| --- | --- |
| Name | Enter a name for the module. |
| Job | [Import Contacts](/v1/docs/import-contacts) Click on the link to learn more about the necessary settings for the import. |
6. Click **​Next​**. ⇒ The ​Whiteboard​ wizard opens to step two.
7. Define the desired time frame and notifications.
8. Click **​Activate​** to immediately activate the whiteboard. Only active whiteboards are executed by the system. ⇒ The whiteboard is saved and activated. The automation has the status **​Running​** if the start date is immediate and **​Scheduled​** if the start date is in the future.