---
title: "Import contacts from a CSV file"
description: "Bring customers from a spreadsheet into Awwtomation: upload a CSV, match its columns to names, emails, phones and tags, and import in one go."
canonical: "https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/import-contacts-from-a-csv"
---

# Import contacts from a CSV file


Moving from a spreadsheet or another tool? Import your customer list so their details, tags and stages are ready when they message you.

## Before you start

Export your list as a CSV with a header row. Columns for name, Instagram username, email, phone, stage and tags all work; the order doesn't matter.

## Steps

### Click Import

Open **Contacts** and click **Import**.

![The Contacts page with the Import button](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/import-contacts-from-a-csv/1-import-button.webp "app.awwtomation.com/contacts")

### Choose your file

Click **Choose a CSV file** or drop the file in. The dialog shows how many contacts and files your plan allows.

![The Import contacts dialog](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/import-contacts-from-a-csv/2-choose-file.webp "app.awwtomation.com/contacts")

### Match your columns

Awwtomation guesses which column is which and shows the first row so you can check. Change any **Column in your file**, or pick **Don't import**. Choose the account to add them to, and optionally a pipeline, a stage and a tag for everyone in the file.

![Match your columns with name, username, email, phone and tags matched](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/import-contacts-from-a-csv/3-match-columns.webp "app.awwtomation.com/contacts")

### Import

Click **Import** and you'll see how many were added. They're in **Contacts** straight away.

![Imported 5 contacts](https://www.awwtomation.com/how-to/import-contacts-from-a-csv/4-imported.webp "app.awwtomation.com/contacts")

## Q: Can I message imported contacts straight away?

A: Only once they message you. Meta allows business messages only within 24 hours of the person's last message, so imported contacts wait with their details and merge into the conversation the first time they comment or message.

## Q: What happens to duplicates?

A: They're skipped, never overwritten. A row counts as a duplicate when its email is already in the workspace or its username is already on the account.