Import Contacts (CSV): Create

Purpose: Create Contacts via CSV import and avoid common identity/matching mistakes that lead to duplicates.

Related: Importing data into Administrate

Before you import

• Prepare CSV: Prepare your CSV file for import
• Mapping: Configuring and running your import
• If you may be updating existing contacts (even unintentionally), review:
  • Matching, Updates, and Safe Operation
  • Identifiers, Lookups, and Matching Rules

Recommended columns

Include stable identifiers and the minimum fields needed to create a usable Contact record. Keep formatting consistent across the file, and avoid placeholder values in identifier-like fields.

Run the import

1. Select the Contacts import type.
2. Upload the CSV.
3. Map fields carefully (especially identifiers).
4. Run the import (queued processing).

Execution reference:

• Running and reviewing an import

Verify outcomes

• Verifying imported data

Common issues

• Duplicates created: identifiers missing/mismatched. Pause and review matching rules before importing again.
• Lookup failures: referenced values don’t exist or don’t match exactly (spacing/case/rules).
• Partial success: correct only the failed subset and re-import those rows.

Behavior reference (partial success, no rollback, recovery strategy):

• Import Processing Model (How Imports Behave)