Contact Import

Overview

Mapp Engage makes it simple to bring your contact information into the platform. Whether you’re importing a handful of new subscribers or synchronizing millions of records, the process is designed to keep your data accurate, consistent, and ready to use. Every import ties seamlessly into existing groups, ensuring your contacts are instantly organized for targeted campaigns.

Key Features

Mapp Engage provides a flexible import system that supports different types of data and ensures smooth synchronization across systems:

• Data Types You Can Import:

  • Contacts identified by email address, mobile number, or app alias.

  • Standard and custom profile attributes.

  • Group and member attributes for segmentation.

  • Contact preferences, such as read modes and message limitations (XML only).

• Integration with Groups: All imports are tied to an existing group, ensuring organization and segmentation from the start.

• Confirmation Messages: Optionally send confirmation messages to support confirmed or double-opt-in processes.

• Data Management Options: Add, update, or remove contacts as needed, with the ability to sync data with external systems.

Data Synchronization

Every contact in Mapp Engage is linked to a centralized profile, which prevents fragmentation of information. During the import process, the platform automatically checks for:

• Valid email syntax (see Email Address Validation).

• Duplicate or invalid contacts, which can be filtered out if:

  • The contact is already in the group.

  • They’ve previously unsubscribed.

  • Their profile was deactivated due to delivery issues.

This built-in quality control helps maintain a clean, reliable contact database.

Time Zone Handling in Imports

When importing date and time values, Mapp Engage interprets them based on the format and whether a time zone offset is included.

• If the imported data does not include a time offset, the system assumes the values are in UTC and converts them according to the selected or cluster time zone. This can result in differences during Daylight Saving Time and Standard Time.

• If the imported data includes a time offset (for example +02:00), the system first converts the value to UTC and then adjusts it to the selected time zone at import.

Being aware of these conditions helps ensure that your imported data aligns correctly with your desired time zone settings. For detailed examples, see the dedicated pages on Imports without Time Offset and Imports with Additional Time Offset.

File Requirements

Imports can be performed using common file types such as CSV, XML, or plain text. The file size limit for manual uploads is 50 MB (larger volumes should be handled through automation).

Each contact must be uniquely identified by at least one of the following:

• Contact ID

• Email address

• mobile phone number

• Mobile app alias

File Formatting Guides:

• XML Format for Contact Imports.

• Quick Reference: Contact Import XML.

• CSV Format for Contact Imports.

• Quick Reference: Contact Import CSV.

Import Methods

Depending on your needs, there are several approaches to bringing in contacts:

1. Automated Imports: Schedule recurring imports (daily or weekly) using XML or CSV files. This method is ideal for handling millions of records at scale.

2. Process Control XML: Transfer files securely via FTP or SCP while combining tasks such as creating groups, importing contacts, and even launching campaigns.

3. External Identifier Imports: Update existing profiles with an external ID, ensuring no duplicates are created.

4. Manual Upload: Perfect for smaller, one-time imports (up to 1 million contacts, max 50 MB file).

5. Single Contact Addition: Quickly add one contact at a time directly in the user interface.