---
title: Importing Contacts
slug: importing-contacts
createdAt: 2024-11-20T12:12:02.392Z
---
This guide walks you through the process of importing contacts into Sanoflow using the import functionality, complete with screenshots and practical advice to streamline the process.
# Getting Here
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Importing Contacts requires an **Admin**, **Manager**, or any **user with access** to do so.
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**Steps to Access**:
1. Navigate to the [Contacts](docId\:uP4bNXkK5yVC_b2k-R6sq) section on the left-hand menu.
2. Click on the **Import/Export Contacts** button located at the top right of the Contacts page.
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# How To Import My Contacts?
## 1 - Download the Template
- Click on the **"Download Template"** button in the import window to get a preformatted CSV.
## 2 - Prepare Your Data
- Use the provided CSV template to structure your data.
- Ensure all mandatory fields are filled correctly (e.g., First Name, Phone Number, etc.).
- Save the file in .csv format.
## 3 - Upload the CSV
- After preparing your file, return to the import screen.
- Click **Next** and upload your CSV.
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You may only import **10,000 contacts** per file.
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## 4 - Verify Data
Review the uploaded data for any errors (e.g., missing mandatory fields, incorrect phone number formats).
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## 5 - Complete the Import
If the data passes validation, click **Import** to upload it into Sanoflow.
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## Exporting Data
- To back up or review your existing contact list, use the **Export** option from the **Import/Export** menu.
# Best Practices
1. **Validate Data:**
- Double-check mandatory fields and formatting before uploading.
2. [Segments](docId\:U6aKkh-IEG9Nbe6XAImqo)** Contacts:**
- Use tags or labels in the CSV to group contacts for easier filtering.
3. **Avoid Duplicates:**
- Sanoflow will flag duplicate entries. Clean up your file before importing.
4. **Secure Data:**
- Ensure no sensitive information is included unless necessary and compliant with data protection policies.
# FAQs
1. **I keep on getting file format error. What's the fix?**
- Make sure your file is saved as .csv.
- Check for unsupported characters or extra spaces in fields.
2. **I am getting a validation error. What does that mean? **
- Mandatory fields like **First Name** and **Phone Number** must be **populated**.Use **proper formats** for dates (YYYY-MM-DD) and phone numbers (e.g., +971555000001).
3. **Can I include custom fields in the import file?**
- Yes, but the custom fields must already exist in your Sanoflow settings. Add them via Settings > Custom Fields before including them in your CSV.
4. **What happens if I import a contact that already exists?**
- Sanoflow will flag duplicates based on unique identifiers like phone number or email. You’ll be prompted to review or skip duplicate entries during validation.
5. **Can I bulk assign Tags or Labels during import?**
- Yes. Include a column in your CSV named “Tag” or “Label” and assign values. Only one label can be used per contact, but you may add multiple tags, separated by commas.
6. **Is there a limit on how often I can import contacts?**
- There’s no daily or hourly limit, but you can only upload 10,000 contacts per file. For larger datasets, split them into multiple CSVs.
7. **What file encoding is recommended for the import CSV?**
- Use UTF-8 encoding to ensure special characters (e.g., Arabic names, symbols) are properly recognized during upload.
8. **Can I undo a bulk import if I made a mistake?**
- No automatic undo is available. You’ll need to manually delete the incorrectly imported contacts or use a filtered export and batch delete based on import criteria.
9. **Will the import override existing contact data?**
- Only if a contact in the import file exactly matches an existing contact and contains new data. Otherwise, existing records remain unchanged.
10. **Why is the import stuck on the loading screen?**
- Large files may take a few minutes to process. If it's stuck for more than 5 minutes, check your internet connection or try reducing file size. Also, avoid special formatting like merged cells in Excel before saving as CSV.