---
title: "Quick Reference: Contact Import XML"
slug: "quick-reference-contact-import-xml"
updated: 2026-01-02T13:02:32Z
published: 2026-01-02T13:02:32Z
---

> ## 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.

# Quick Reference: Contact Import XML

This topic provides a brief overview of how to format an XML file for importing contacts into Mapp Engage.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**:
> 
> This topic assumes strong familiarity with XML files, data import processes, and Mapp Engage attribute types. For more detailed guidance, see [​XML Format for Contact Imports​](/v1/docs/xml-format-for-contact-imports).

---

## Standard Attributes​

The following elements are nested inside the `user` element.

| XML Element | Description | Data Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| `email` | Must be formatted as a standard email address (`localpart@domain.com`). | String |
| `mobilenumber` | Must include the area code. A plus sign (`+`) before the number is optional. Extra leading zeroes are not allowed. | String |
| `faxnumber` | Previously used to store fax numbers; now stores the alias for the mobile app. Accepts letters, numbers, and special characters (including periods and underscores). Values are not validated. Maximum length: 2000 characters. | String |
| `identifier` | Stores an external identifier (for example, from a CRM system). Accepts letters, numbers, and special characters (including periods and underscores). Values are not validated. To import contacts identified by an external identifier, a special import procedure is required. See [Update Contacts with External Identifier](/v1/docs/update-contacts-with-external-identifier). | String |
| `firstname` | Stores the contact’s first name. No special formatting is required. Values are not validated. Maximum length: 2000 characters. | String |
| `lastname` | Stores the contact’s last name. No special formatting is required. Values are not validated. Maximum length: 2000 characters. | String |
| `nickname` | Stores the preferred name of the contact. No special formatting is required. Values are not validated. Maximum length: 2000 characters. | String |
| `dateofbirth` | Must be formatted as `YYYY-MM-DD` (for example, `1965-08-08`) or as a full ISO-8601 timestamp (for example, `1965-08-08T12:00:00+00:00`). | Date |
| `title` | Stores the preferred title as a numeric value:• `1` = Mr.• `2` = Mrs.• `-1` = Unknown | Number |
| `zipcode` | Stores the ZIP or postal code. Format depends on the country. This attribute accepts letters and numbers. Values are not validated. Maximum length: 2000 characters. | String |
| `partnerid` | Stores a numeric value that identifies an external source of the contact address. Limited to a maximum of 5 numeric characters. | Number |
| `isocountrycode` | Must conform to ISO 3166-1 standards. For more information, see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-1](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_3166-1). | String |
| `isolanguagecode` | Must conform to ISO 639 standards. For more information, see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ISO_639-1_codes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ISO_639-1_codes). | String |
| `timezone` | Must conform to the tz database (IANA) format, such as `America/New_York` or `Europe/Berlin`. For more information, see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tz_database](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tz_database). | String |

---

## Date and Time Formatting

Mapp Engage uses ISO-8601 date formats.

Time zones must be entered using the following structure:

```bash
YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss(+/-)GMT offset
```

**Example:** US/Eastern - `2012-12-25T15:15:15-05:00`

ISO-8601 formatting is recommended for all date and time values in the import file. Deprecated formats are not fully supported.

---

## Additional Information​

The following elements are also nested inside the `<user>` element. The maximum number of characters per value is 2000.

| Attribute or Setting | XML Element | XML Attributes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Custom Attributes** | `namedattr` | `name` |
| **New Custom Attributes** | `namedattr-definition` | - `enum` (true or false) - `type` (string, number, date, or boolean) - `name` |
| **Member Attributes** | `memberattr` | `name` |
| **Read Mode** | `channel` | See [​XML Format for Contact Imports​](/v1/docs/xml-format-for-contact-imports) |
| **Message Limitation** | `maxmessages` | - `number` (maximum number of messages) - `period` (period in days) |