Import contacts from a file

You can add an entire contact list to MailGraf from a CSV, Excel (.xlsx) or text (.txt) 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, Excel (.xlsx) or text (.txt) file containing email addresses. An email column is required. First name, last name, country, custom fields and preferences 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

   Add contacts from a file is already selected under Import type. You can also open this screen from the From a file tab on Contacts > Add contact or from Add contact > Import from a file 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 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, one of your custom fields or a preference under Preferences. 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. Decide what happens to contacts you already have

   Under Advanced options, tick Update contacts that already exist 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.

5. 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. Tick the permission box and click Start import

   To continue, tick I confirm these contacts gave me permission to email them. To record unsubscribed contacts, choose Upload unsubscribed contacts as the import type.

The result screen

The import runs in the background. Its status moves from Queued to Running and then Completed. The Rows, Added, Updated and Duplicates tiles provide the overall result. Already in contacts, Repeated in file, 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.

Before sending to a new, old or externally sourced list, run a free bounce test under Reports > Email verification. If the estimated bounce rate is above 5%, verify and clean the full list. See Verify and clean your email list for the complete steps.