Importing Contacts

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Goal​

Import contacts and profile attribute data into a group from a CSV, XML, or text file.

Prerequisites​

  1. The group you want to import contacts into already exists.

  2. The file must be in CSV, XML, or text format, with a maximum size of 50 MB, and follow the required formatting rules.

  3. Each contact must be uniquely identified by one of the following: Contact ID, Email address, Mobile phone number, Mobile app alias.
    You can also use an external identifier from a CRM system. For instructions, see Update Contacts with External Identifier.

  4. Ensure you have the necessary group and system permissions for the chosen import mode (for example, adding members, inviting new members, editing profile data, or removing members). See Group Permissions List.

Background Information

  • This procedure is recommended for one-time imports of up to 1 million contacts. To reduce manual effort, automate recurring imports with System Whiteboards

  • This procedure cannot be used to add system users. To add them, see Create Mapp Engage System User.

  • To send notifications or invitations via SMS, make sure the relevant system message is enabled for the SMS channel. For more information, see System Messages via SMS.

Procedure

Video

Please watch this short video to see how the import process is done.

Detailed Steps

  1. Go to Audience > Group Management > Groups.

  2. From the context menu next to the target group, select Members.

  3. Click Import.

  4. Click Choose File and upload your file.

  5. Select the File Type. For CSV files, enter a separator in the Separator field if you use something other than the default comma.

  6. Choose the encoding.

  7. Select one of the following import modes:

    • Add: Add contacts as members.

    • Update Current Members: Update existing members.

    • Add and Update All: Add new contacts and update existing ones.

    • Add and Update (Exclude Current Members): Add new contacts only, without modifying current members.

    • Replace All: Replace all existing group members with the new list.

    • Remove from Group: Remove contacts from the group.

    • Add Contact (With Notification and Invite): Add contacts with a notification or invitation, even if they are already members.

  8. (Optional) Apply Synchronization Qualifiers to refine the process. Some qualifiers are applied automatically, depending on the selected mode.

  9. (Optional) Expand Advanced Options and configure as needed:

    • Time Zone: Sets the time zone for date attributes, used only if the file’s date values lack a time zone.

    • Use External Identifier: Matches contacts by unique ID instead of email or mobile number. Requires the external-identifier import procedure.

    • Set Read Mode System-wide: Applies the file’s read mode to all contacts, overwriting per-contact read mode in all groups. Available only with the add modes: "Replace," "Update Members Only," "Add and Update Non-members Only," and "Add and Update All."

      Note:

      Mapp Engage requires ISO-8601 date formats (YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss+/-GMT). Example: 2012-12-25T15:15:15-05:00. Deprecated formats are not fully supported.

  10. Click Import to start the process.

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