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Import Users via an Excel (CSV) File

Learn how to easily add new users and/or update existing ones with the import capability

Shoshana Fleischmann avatar
Written by Shoshana Fleischmann
Updated today

Adding users to your platform has never been easier! With our 'Import Users' capability, you can quickly add users to your account without the hassle of having to do so manually one by one. This option saves you time and ensures you don't miss any details when adding your new employees.

This article covers the following:

When Should You Use the Import Capability

This capability is recommended when you need to add or update a large number of users on your account. It is especially beneficial for saving time and ensuring that all users are updated and added efficiently. Here are some situations where using the import capability is ideal:

  • Adding multiple new users

  • Updating information for multiple existing users, whether it's personal information like email and phone number or user details such as their smart group or department

  • Archiving multiple users at once

  • Performing both actions simultaneously, when you wish to add new users and update existing ones

  • Creating new user profile fields

How to Import Users via CSV

Let's understand and learn what stages you will go through to import users using an Excel (CSV) file.

Step 1: Access the Import Users Modal and Download the Template

Go into the Users section from the left sidebar, and access the Mobile Users tab. Click on the + Add users button on the top right and choose the option Import users

Once you are in the "Import Users" modal, the first step is to download the Excel file.

Please note: The downloaded file has a specific column structure that must be maintained for a successful user import. If you want to modify this structure (e.g., changing the order of columns, renaming columns, adding or removing columns), you can do so by adjusting your User Details. Once you adjust them to your liking, please remember to download the template again as it will be adjusted as well. 

Here is an example of what the initial downloaded template looks like:

Step 2: Fill Out the Downloaded CSV file with the User's Information

The next step of the process is to fill out the downloaded Excel file with your user's details and information. Before doing so, please keep in mind the following:

  • To complete the process of importing users, make sure to fill out the following mandatory columns: First Name, Last Name, Country Code, and Mobile Phone Number.

  • For dropdown custom fields, if you need to add multiple values for the same user under the same field, separate each value with a comma in the CSV file (e.g., sales, marketing).

  • If you want to use the archive function, add a column titled "Archive" to your CSV file. For the users you wish to archive, enter the number "1" in the archive column you created. Users with a "1" in their archive column will be added as archived users, while those with an empty cell in the archive column will be added as active users. 

Here's another example of what the file might look like once you add the user's information:

Once you complete the Excel to your needs, save it as a CSV (comma-separated values) file. Then go back to the import users modal you reviewed earlier and click Next to continue the process. 

Step 3: Choose Your Upload Settings and Import the CSV file

When you get to this step of the process, you will find three options to choose from:

  • Add new users and ignore existing users  

  • Add new users and update existing users  

    • Ignore empty cells in the CSV file, leave existing user info as it is

    • Override existing user info by replacing it with the empty cell  

  • Ignote new users and update existing users

    • Ignore empty cells in the CSV file, leave existing user info as it is

    • Override existing user info by replacing it with the empty cell

Once you select the correct upload setting you need, it's time to upload your file. You can do so by dragging and dropping the file or by browsing your computer. Simply make sure you've saved the spreadsheet as a CSV file (comma-separated values) before importing it.

Please note: the platform recognizes and detects if a user already exists in the account based on their unique mobile phone number.

Once you upload the file, the system will analyze it to ensure everything is in order and ready for import. The following steps outline the analysis process before you can click complete the import.

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Step 4: Decide What To Do With Unknown Columns/Data

Once you upload the file, click Next to reach the "Unknown Fields" section of the import process. An unknown field refers to data from the CSV file that does not match any existing data in the account. Unknown fields can be either smart groups or columns.

If no unknown fields are found, you can continue the import by clicking "Next" and proceeding to the next section. If an unknown field is found, you will be alerted and can adjust it by either matching it to an existing user field, creating a new custom field from scratch, or ignoring it completely.

Examples of unknown columns/data:

  • If you have a dropdown user profile field called "Branch" with only 2 existing locations such as New York and Boston but, in your CSV file, you added the option "Los Angeles", the system will recognize it as an unknown data and ask you to choose what you'd like to do with it.

  • Let's say you've added a new user profile field to your file, like "Type of Employment", for example, but it doesn't yet exist in your account, it will be recognized as an unknown column, and you'll be asked what you'd like to do with it

Step 5: Evaluate the Overview and Fix Any Errors  

After the "Unknown Columns" section, click "Next" to reach the "Overview" section of the import. Here, you will see the users from your CSV file. If any errors are found, they will be highlighted in red for easy identification and correction.

Some common errors may be:

  • Missing first name, last name, or phone number

  • Incorrect phone number format or wrongly selected country code

  • Duplicated phone numbers

See the following example where the "Mobile Phone" column for one of the new users has an error and is highlighted in red. Hovering over it will provide a clearer reason for the error. In this case, it indicates that the phone number is invalid. You can fix this quickly by correcting the number or adjusting the country code.

Once the errors are corrected, click Next to reach the "Summary" tab, where an overview will be displayed. Then click Confirm to complete the importing process.

How Do I Know if the Import Was Succesful?

One indicator of the success of the import is the blue progress indicator at the bottom right of the screen.

Another indicator is searching for the new user's name. If you find it, you will know the import was successful.

*The ability to import users using a CSV file is only available from the Basic plan under any hub*

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