{"id":"5910b7ff2c7d3a057f88e6ee","number":341,"collectionId":"590c96772c7d3a057f88d6ef","slug":"uploading-a-file-of-contacts","status":"published","hasDraft":false,"name":"Upload a File to Contacts","text":"

What file formats can I upload to Text-Em-All contacts?

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Text-Em-All accepts contact files in .csv, .xlsx, or .xls formats with up to 1000 columns. Each contact can include first name, last name, up to 3 phone numbers, and notes. The platform automatically detects and maps your column information during the upload process.

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All uploaded files must contain at least one valid 10-digit phone number per contact to import successfully.

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File upload requirements

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Before uploading, ensure your file meets these requirements:

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How do I upload a contact file?

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The upload process automatically detects your column information and provides a preview before importing. You can modify column assignments if the automatic detection needs adjustment.

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  1. Navigate to your Contacts page
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  2. Click the Upload a File button
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  3. Drag and drop your file into the dialog or click Choose a File to browse
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  4. Review the preview of detected information. If anything looks incorrect, click Modify to adjust column assignments
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  5. Click Import to add the contacts to your account
    6. \n
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\n \"Upload\n
The Upload a File button is located at the top of your Contacts page
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How do I upload contacts to multiple groups at once?

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You can assign contacts to multiple groups during upload by including a \"Groups\" column in your file. This feature requires specific setup and must be done from the Everyone folder.

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Before you begin

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Upload steps for multiple groups

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  1. Navigate to your Contacts page and confirm you're in the Everyone folder
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  2. Click the Upload a File button
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  3. Upload your file with the properly formatted Groups column
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  4. If groups don't exist, those contacts will be marked as Bad Records. Click View then Bad Records to see excluded contacts
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  5. Click Import to complete the upload
    6. \n
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\n \"Upload\n
Click View to see upload details including any Bad Records that were excluded
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What should my contact file look like?

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Use these sample formats as templates for your contact files. The platform accepts various column arrangements and will automatically detect most standard contact information.

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Basic contact upload format

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\n \"Sample\n
Basic contact file with standard columns for names, phone numbers, and notes
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Note: Valid 10-digit phone numbers can be formatted as XXX-XXX-XXXX, XXX.XXX.XXXX, XXXXXXXXXX, or (XXX) XXX-XXXX

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Multi-group upload format

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\n \"Sample\n
Multi-group upload file showing the Groups column with comma-separated group assignments
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How do I fix file upload problems?

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Most upload issues stem from file format problems, missing phone numbers, or column detection errors. Follow these troubleshooting steps to resolve common problems.

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Troubleshooting steps

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  1. Verify phone numbers — Ensure at least one valid 10-digit phone number exists per contact
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  2. Close the file — Make sure your file isn't open in Excel or other programs
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  3. Check column mapping — Click Modify during upload to adjust how columns are detected
    4. \n
  4. Review bad records — Click View then Bad Records to see which contacts were excluded and why
    5. \n
  5. Check for duplicates — Click View then Duplicate Records to see numbers that appeared more than once within the file you uploaded. This is separate from contacts already saved in your account.
    6. \n
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Column limitations

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The system only imports these specific column types:

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Additional columns will be ignored during standard contact uploads. However, when uploading during broadcast creation, extra columns can be used for message personalization.

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What happens after I upload my file?

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After clicking Import, your contacts are added to your account and available immediately for messaging. The system provides a summary of successful imports, bad records, and duplicates found during the process.

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Successfully imported contacts will appear in your selected group (or Everyone folder for multi-group uploads). You can then create broadcasts, send individual messages, or organize them into additional groups as needed.

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If more than one person on your account uploads contacts, you may see the same phone number listed more than once. An upload only checks against the contacts you've added yourself, so a number someone else already uploaded gets added again. This happens even when you're both uploading to the same group. To clean this up, sort your contact list by phone number so matching entries group together, then delete the ones you don't need.

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