Import Tips

A few tips to help file imports go smoothly:

1. All import files must be in a .csv format.
2. Ensure there is a Title Row and each column has a title above it (Amount, First Name, etc). ContactDrive looks to the first row for the type of information in all of the other rows.
3. Eliminate blank spaces in between rows as they can potentially break an import.
4. Ensure each column follows the same format. Watch for inconsistent date formatting (e.g, 17-May versus 05/17/2024) or phone numbers with periods instead of dashes.
5. Separate out each segment of data, especially related to addresses. A perfect way to separate addresses is Street, then a new column for Suite/apartment number, followed by City, then State, then Zip, then County (if applicable). You can even include legislative districts as a custom field, just make sure they’re in their own column.
6. Verify that the only items that are in each cell are what should be there. Keep notes in a column for notes, nicknames separate from first name, etc. Example of what NOT to do is putting “Robert (Bob)” as the fist name. If this happens, you’ll end up with duplicate contacts.
7. Ensure that all your data is in the correct column. This happens a lot with workplace information where Employer is listed as the Occupation, or vice versa.
8. If an organization makes a donation, the organization name should go in the last name field.
9. Ensure all emails are actual email addresses. Putting things like “use gmail” or “not applicable” or even “do not email” will cause an import to fail. Be sure email addresses are spelled correctly, too. You wouldn’t believe how many people forget the “dot” in gmail.com, or add in an extra letter.
10. To connect a business donation with the individual contact, create the organization separate from the individual, then set a relationship linking them within ContactDrive. One other method is to list the individual’s name in a separate column for the organization titled Notes.
11. Still have messy data that isn’t ready for prime-time? Utilize our Data Container feature and import it one-at-a-time while cleaning it up as you go. It’s a win-win!