1. Start with Clear Column Headers
- Always include column headers in the first row of your file.
- Headers don’t have to match Pipeline field names exactly—just make them clear and descriptive for your own reference.
2. Organize Your Data: System and Custom Fields
- Default Fields: Review the list of default fields available for people in Pipeline CRM here.
- Custom fields: Do you have information that doesn’t fit the defaults? Create custom fields in Pipeline before importing. Click here for more information.
3. Name Formatting: Keep It Simple
- You can use separate columns for First Name and Last Name.
- Or, use a single column in one of these formats:
- First Name Last Name
- Last Name, First Name
- First Name, Last Name
4. Link People to Companies
- Add a Company Name column if you want to associate people with companies.
- Make sure the company name matches exactly with what’s in Pipeline CRM.
5. Set Contact Type: Contact or Lead
- Decide if everyone is a Contact or a Lead during the import process.
- Or, include a column in your spreadsheet to assign each person individually.
6. Assign Owners
- Every person needs an Owner—the user responsible for that contact.
- Assign everyone to the same owner during import, or use an Owner column to assign different owners.
- The owner’s name in your file must exactly match the user’s name in your Account Settings.
7. Tag Your People
- Apply tags to the whole import during the process, or add a Tags column to your spreadsheet.
- For multiple tags:
- Use separate columns for each tag or
- Use one column with tags separated by commas
8. Avoid Duplicate Entries
- Duplicate checking is available: If two people have the same email, only the first will be imported.
- You’ll get an email after import with details of any invalid or skipped entries.
Pro Tips for a Smooth Import
- Download an example CSV to see the recommended format. You can download it here.
- Double-check for typos and ensure all required fields are filled.
- Use short, clear column names for easy mapping.
- Keep your spreadsheet tidy—generous spacing and short paragraphs make it easier to review.