Importing contacts

Bringing your existing customer data into Deskwoot is straightforward with CSV imports. Whether you're migrating from another platform or uploading a fresh contact list, the import tool lets you match your data to Deskwoot's contact fields in just a few clicks. Below, you'll find a step-by-step walkthrough, tips for preparing your file, and answers to common questions.

Preparing your CSV file

A well-formatted CSV file ensures a smooth import. Keep these guidelines in mind:

Required fields: At minimum, each row must include an email address or phone number so Deskwoot can uniquely identify the contact.
Recommended columns: Include additional fields such as first_name, last_name, company, and any custom attributes you plan to use for segmentation.
File encoding: Save your file with UTF-8 encoding to avoid issues with special characters or accented letters.
Header row: Make sure the first row of your CSV contains column headers. This makes the mapping step much easier.
Consistent formatting: Use a uniform format for phone numbers (e.g., include country code) and avoid mixing formats within the same column.

Importing contacts step by step

Navigate to the Contacts section in your Deskwoot dashboard.
Click the Import button.
Upload your prepared CSV file.
Map each CSV column to the corresponding Deskwoot contact field. The tool will attempt to auto-match columns based on header names, but you can adjust mappings manually.
Review your mappings, then click Import to begin processing.

Depending on the size of your file, the import may take a few moments. You'll receive a confirmation once it's complete.

Common pitfalls & troubleshooting

Duplicate contacts: If an imported email or phone number already exists, Deskwoot will update the existing record rather than create a duplicate. Double-check your file if you notice unexpected merges.
Empty required fields: Rows missing both an email and phone number will be skipped. Review your file beforehand to fill in any gaps.
Large files timing out: For very large lists, consider splitting your CSV into smaller batches (e.g., 5,000–10,000 rows each) to avoid timeout issues.

Best-practice tips

Run a small test import with 5–10 rows first to verify that your column mappings are correct before uploading the full file.
Remove blank rows and trailing commas from your CSV to prevent import errors.
Back up your original file before making edits, so you can re-import if needed.

Frequently asked questions

What file formats are supported?

Currently, the import tool accepts CSV files. If your data is in Excel format, export it as CSV first.

Will importing overwrite existing contact data?

When a matching email or phone number is found, the import will update that contact's details with the new values from your file. Fields left empty in the CSV will not overwrite existing data.

Is there a limit on the number of contacts I can import?

There is no strict row limit, but very large files may take longer to process. Splitting them into smaller batches is recommended for the best experience.