When you need to update many contact records at once, you can re-import a CSV that matches existing contacts by their unique identifiers. Matching contacts are updated in place, so you don't need to delete and re-upload them. Use a re-import when you have new or corrected data from another system, want to update fields such as tags, statuses, or custom values, need to fix a previous import, or find a spreadsheet easier for editing large amounts of contact data.
Before continuing, make sure you're familiar with the basics of importing contacts. If not, start with How to Import Contacts.
How Re-Imported Contacts Are Matched
VipeCloud matches each row in your file to an existing contact using a unique identifier:
Email address (the default)
Mobile phone number
Any field you've marked as unique
If a row's identifier doesn't exactly match an existing contact, a new contact is created instead, which can leave you with duplicates. This often happens when someone's email address has changed. For how matching and unique fields work, see Duplicate Prevention in VipeCloud: Matching, Unique Fields, and Unique Rules.
How to Prepare Your CSV for a Re-Import
Include the unique identifier column, such as Email, for every contact.
Add a column for each field you want to update.
Remove every other column.
Save the file as a .CSV.
Fields you leave out of the file are not changed. A blank cell in a column you include overwrites that field with a blank, which is how you clear a field.
For dropdown and picklist fields, make sure your values match the field's options exactly. Values that don't match are dropped unless you choose Add new values as options when you map the column.
How to Re-Import the File
Click Contacts in the left sidebar.
Scroll down and click Import.
Click Contact Lists to keep the updated contacts together in a list, or Contacts to update them without a list.
In Upload Your CSV File, drag in your CSV or click browse files.
In Review & Map Your Columns, map the unique identifier column and each column you're updating to its field.
If you're importing to a contact list, select Create a new list or Add to an existing list in Choose a Contact List.
Click Test Import (25 Rows) and check that the rows you expect to match show under would be updated.
Click Process Import.
Contacts that match are updated, and rows with no match create new contacts. Imports are queued, and you'll get a notification when the import is done.
Key Notes
Start with a small test file of a row or two, especially for a large update or rows with many dropdown or picklist values.
Export your current contacts before updating many fields, so you have a copy of the old values.
Check the updated contacts before sending any mass email or text.