Import contacts from a file

You can add an entire contact list to MailGraf from a CSV file. The import has three steps: Upload, Mapping and Permission. When it finishes, the result report explains what happened to every row.

Before you start

• A CSV file with a header row. An email column is required. First name, last name, country and custom fields are optional.
• A target list. If you do not have one yet, you can create it inside the wizard.
• Make sure any earlier import has finished. Each account can run one import at a time.

Upload

1. Open Imports and click New import

   You can also open the import from the From CSV file tab on Contacts > Add contact or from List actions > Import contacts on a list's page. When you start from a list, MailGraf selects it as the target automatically.

2. Choose the target list

   Pick an existing list in Choose a list… or type a new name to create one. You need to choose a target list before continuing.

3. Drop in the file

   Drag and drop the CSV file or click the upload area to choose it from your computer. MailGraf reads the file and shows how many rows it contains. To use a different file, click Change file.

4. Click Continue to mapping

Mapping

1. Check First row is a header

   Keep it ticked if the first row of your file holds the column names.

2. Match each column to a MailGraf field

   For each file column, choose Email, First name, Last name, Country or one of your custom fields. Select Skip for any column you do not want to import. You need to map an email column before continuing.

3. Look at the preview

   Preview shows how the first rows will appear in MailGraf. MailGraf removes unnecessary spaces from first and last names. Invalid rows are not imported and the result report explains why they were skipped.

4. Click Continue to permission

Permission

1. Read the permission type

   Contacts imported from a file are recorded as Single opt-in. You cannot choose a different consent method for a file import. A double opt-in record is created only after a contact clicks a confirmation link.

2. Choose a status

   Choose Active for contacts you are allowed to email. Choose Unsubscribed if you only need to keep them on record.

3. Decide what happens to contacts you already have

   Tick Update existing contacts with file values if the file should update contacts already in your account. Values in mapped columns replace the existing details. Empty cells do not remove saved information and unsubscribed contacts are not reactivated. If you leave the option unticked, existing contacts are skipped.

4. Tick the permission box and click Start import

   To continue, tick I confirm these contacts gave me permission to email them.

The result screen

The import runs in the background. Its status moves from Queued to Running and then Completed. The Rows, Added, Updated and Skipped tiles provide the overall result. Duplicates, Invalid, Repaired addresses, Block listed and Errors explain why particular rows were skipped or changed.

Use the Invalid rows table to review skipped rows individually. It shows the row number, email address and reason. Click Download report to download the same information as a file.

MailGraf also shows the list's risk level when the import finishes. If the result is Low risk, you do not need to take further action. A Medium risk result means you may need to remove problematic addresses before sending. If the result is High risk, MailGraf places the account under review. You cannot send campaigns until the review is complete.