How to Import Contacts Using the New Importer | ARTERNAL Help Center

How to Import Contacts Using the New Importer

The new importer makes it easy to upload contact data in bulk. Follow these steps to prep your spreadsheet and finalize your import.

Written by Kalila Richards
March 12, 2026

Table of contents

🧰 Step 1: Prepare Your CSV

Your spreadsheet should contain one row per contact and clearly labeled columns.

Here are some of the most commonly used fields:

Column Name Description
first_name First name of the contact
last_name Last name of the contact
email Contact’s email address (required for SmartMail)
phone_home Phone number
company Company or institution name
primary_city City
primary_country Country
primary_state State
primary_street Street Address
primary_zip ZIP or Postal Code
assigned_to_user Email of an existing ARTERNAL user to assign this contact to
assigned_to_list Contact list name that already exists in your account
tags Tags to categorize the contact (separate multiple with commas)
roles Roles or relationship type (comma-separated if multiple)
notes Any relevant notes about the contact

💡 Optional fields include mailing address, website, pronouns, honorifics, and more. If left blank, some fields will default (e.g., “Primary” for labels).

For a full list of fields, see our Contact Import Field Reference.

Want a template of these columns? Click here: Contact Template.

🧭 Step 2: Launch the Importer

  1. Go to Profile
  2. Click on "Import Wizard"

Once you’re in the portal:

  1. Tap Import Contacts to get started

Next, upload your prepared .csv or .xlsv file by dragging it into the box or clicking to select from your computer > then click "Continue".

🗂️ Step 3: Map Your Columns

After uploading your file, you’ll see the mapping column on the left, with each column name from your CSV listed in the dropdown on the right. The importer will automatically match any columns that align with ARTERNAL’s supported fields.

If a column isn’t matched, no worries — you can manually select the correct field from the dropdown menu next to each column. For example, if your CSV has a column called additional_email, you might map it to Secondary email.

⚠️ Tip: Make sure every important column is mapped before continuing, so your data goes to the right place.

When you’re satisfied with all mappings, click Continue to move on to the data review stage.

🔍 Step 4: Review & Fix Data

Before importing, you’ll see a full preview of your data. Every cell is editable, so if there’s a typo or missing field, you can update it right on this screen.

One of the great things about the new importer is that it will highlight errors during this review stage — so you can fix them before importing. The importer won’t let you continue until any detected errors are corrected.

You can fix issues directly in the table — no need to reupload the file.

Tip: If you want to remove an entire row, simply click the row number on the left and then tap the trash bin 🗑️ icon.

✅ Step 5: Finalize the Import

Once all fields are valid and no errors are highlighted, click Continue to start the import.

⚠️ Don’t close the window while importing—wait for the progress bar to complete.

📚 Step 6: View or Revert Import History

After import, you can visit the Import History page to:

That’s it — your contacts are now uploaded and ready to go!

If you have any questions or want a second set of eyes on your spreadsheet, feel free to reach out via chat or email us at support@arternal.com — we’re always happy to help.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What file types are supported?
A: Currently, the importer accepts CSV files.

Q: Do I need to include every field in my spreadsheet?
A: No — only the fields you want to import. Any columns you leave blank will be ignored.

Q: Can I edit contacts after importing?
A: Absolutely! Once contacts are imported, you can edit or update them in ARTERNAL just like any other contact.