# Import Contacts

Bulk-add or update contacts from a CSV or Excel file.

_Last updated: 2026-09-11_


## Overview

Import lets you add or update many contacts at once from a CSV or Excel file, instead of adding them one at a time.

## Before you begin

- Prepare a CSV or Excel (.xlsx/.xls) file — download the CSV Sample or Excel Sample from the Import dialog if you're not sure of the format.
- Every row needs at least a phone number — that's what contacts are matched on.

## Quick navigation

[Open Import](#open-import) → [Choose your file](#choose-your-file) → [Review your import options](#review-your-import-options) → [Import](#import).

## Open Import

### Step 1 — Open Import

From the left navigation, click Contacts, then click Import.

## Choose your file

### Step 2 — Upload a file

Click Choose File and select a CSV or Excel file matching the sample format.

### Step 3 — Confirm the file was accepted

Once selected, the file name appears in the upload area.

## Review your import options

- **Update existing contacts** — overwrites only the columns your file fills in for a matching contact; blank cells keep their current value. Uncheck to leave existing contacts untouched.
- **Create contacts that don't exist** — uncheck for an update-only import, where rows with an unknown number are skipped.
- **Assign these contacts to** — hands every contact in the file, new and updated, to the selected person.
- **Set contact status to** — applies a status to every contact in the file.

## Import

### Step 4 — Review the file format, then import

Scroll down to confirm your file matches the expected column order, then click Import.

> **WARNING: Before you click Import**
> Clicking Import adds or updates real contact records in your account right away, based on the options above — there is no confirmation step after this.

## Expected result

Each row in your file becomes a new contact, or updates a matching existing one, depending on the two toggles above.

---

### File format

| Column | Required | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| first_name, last_name | Optional |  |
| phone | Required | Contacts are matched by phone, in any format — +91 98765 43210 and 9876543210 are treated as the same contact. |
| email | Optional |  |
| group_name | Optional | Put several groups in one cell separated by commas. A group that doesn't exist yet is created automatically. |
| street, city, state, zip_code, country | Optional |  |
| date_of_birth, anniversary | Optional | Accepts almost any date format (e.g. 15/05/1990, 1990-05-15, "Jan 3 1992") and converts it automatically. Columns named dob, birthday, or birthdate are also accepted. |

> **TIP: Custom fields**
> Your account's own custom fields can be imported too — add a column named for the field (for example company_details, test_number, leadid, leadtype).

## Troubleshooting

**My import didn't create any new contacts**
Make sure "Create contacts that don't exist" is checked before importing.

**My import changed data I didn't expect**
Uncheck "Update existing contacts" for an update-only import that never touches contacts already in your list.

### See also

[Create a Contact](/docs/features-create-contact) — Add a single contact to your account manually.

[Manage your contacts](/docs/features-manage-contacts) — Search, filter, and take action on existing contacts.

## Related articles

- [Create a Campaign](/docs/features-create-campaign) — Send a WhatsApp campaign to your contacts: create it, pick a template, choose recipients, and review before sending.
- [Create a Message Template](/docs/features-create-template) — Create and submit a WhatsApp message template for Meta approval, then use it in a campaign.
- [Create a Contact](/docs/features-create-contact) — Add a single contact to your account manually.
- [Manage Your Contacts](/docs/features-manage-contacts) — Search, filter, and take action on your existing contacts.