Docs · Migrating from Another CRM

Migrating from a spreadsheet (Excel or Google Sheets)

The most common starting point. One sheet, mixed contacts, no type column — here's how to split it safely.

Who this is for

Agencies running on a sheet, or anyone whose 'old CRM' export ended up as one anyway.

Steps

  1. Save as CSV or XLSX — both import directly.
  2. Make sure the first row is headers. Headerless files can still be imported, but you'll be matching columns by hand.
  3. Add a stage/status column if you've been tracking it anywhere — the importer will match it and park your existing customers safely.
  4. Add an opt-out column if you've been tracking unsubscribes anywhere else — a note in a cell, a highlighted row, an email folder.
  5. Import each file, checking the preview before committing.

You don't have to tidy it first

Unmapped columns aren't lost — they're kept on the record, so a column of notes that fits nothing still comes across. Messy typed cells ($ signs, 'N/A', inconsistent dates) are cleaned rather than rejected. Tidying the sheet first is usually wasted work.

The two things that DO need fixing first

ZIP codes stored as numbers lose their leading zero — every New England ZIP breaks. Format that column as text before exporting. And phone numbers stored as numbers lose formatting and sometimes digits; format as text too. These are spreadsheet problems, so they have to be fixed in the spreadsheet.

Duplicates

Sheets accumulate duplicates. The importer catches them within the file and against what's already here, and shows the counts in the preview — you don't need to dedupe by hand first.

How to check it worked

  • Import 20 rows first and open a few records.
  • Check a ZIP starting with 0 survived, and that phone numbers are complete.

Common mistakes

  • Exporting with ZIPs as numbers.
  • Merged cells and multi-row headers — flatten to one header row.
  • Having no stage column at all AND leaving auto-enroll on — with nothing to distinguish customers, every row is treated as a fresh lead.

Related

Moving from another CRM — start hereWhat comes across, what doesn't, and the order to do it in — whichever platform you're leaving.Will importing my contacts text my existing customers?Not if you map your stages on the way in.How do I bring my opt-outs and DNC list across?Map the opt-out column during import.

Where this lives in the app

Open this screenOpens in the app

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