Importing contact data to Engage is a powerful way to update or expand your audience using external lists. Whether you're importing a small segment or a full database, following the correct preparation steps helps ensure a smooth and successful upload. 

How it works

Contact data can be imported into Engage using a CSV (comma-separated values) file format. You can upload files manually through the interface, or via API if you're using the developer method. This guide focuses on the manual upload process.

The maximum recommended size for a file upload is 25 MB. If your file exceeds this size, you’ll need to split it into smaller parts before uploading.

Once the data is prepared and meets the formatting rules, you can upload it to a specific list or use mapping to assign values to fields in Engage.

How to prepare the file

To ensure your file imports correctly:

1. Use UTF-8 encoding.
2. Save your file in .csv format.
3. Include one row per contact.
4. Use a header row with clear, unique column names.
5. Always include either an email address or mobile number as an identifier.

Commonly used fields:

• email
• mobilePhone
• firstName
• lastName
• gender (must be either “male”, “female”, or left blank)
• consentEmail and/or consentSms (values must be “true” or “false”)

Visit the developer documentation for more information.

How to split a file that exceeds the recommended size

If your file is larger than 25 MB:

1. Open the file in Excel or another spreadsheet program.
2. Use the filter or sort functions if needed, then split the rows into smaller segments.
3. Each smaller file should still include the same header row as the original.
4. Save each part as a separate .csv file.

How to import the file into Engage

Once your file is ready and within the size limit, you can import it manually:

1. Go to Audience > Imports in Engage.
2. Click Import file and upload your CSV file.
3. Choose to import to an existing list or create a new one.
4. Map the columns in your file to the correct fields in Engage.
5. Review the summary and confirm the import.

For more detailed step-by-step instructions visit: Import contact data manually to Engage.

Article last reviewed 04 November 2025 07:03