Import contacts from a .CSV or Excel file

Importing contacts via a CSV or Excel file is simple. Your data is safely stored and will never be shared.

If you import contacts and match dynamic fields (like “First name”), you’ll be able to send personalized mail merge SMS and Email campaigns. The mail merge feature dynamically adds the value of the relevant field to your text messages and emails.

Please note:

If your Excel file has a ‘List’ column, you can match it during the import session.
If you add a tag during import, you will later be able to use it to segment your contacts.

Before importing your contacts, please ensure that both phone numbers and email addresses are formatted correctly. This helps avoid errors during import and ensures smooth communication.

Phone number formatting

If all your contact numbers are from the same country, you can enter them in a local format, i.e., without the country code:

US number – (904) 654-1669
UK number – 07937 946700
AU number – 0448 793 610

If your contact list consists of numbers from several countries, please make sure the numbers are in international format, including the country code, with no spaces or plus signs:

US number – 19046541669
UK number – 447937946700
Australian number – 61448793610

Email address formatting

Email addresses should be properly formatted to ensure messages are delivered successfully. Please:

Use valid email addresses (e.g., [email protected]).
Ensure that each email address contains only one “@” sign and a valid domain name.
Avoid using spaces or special characters not allowed in email addresses.

Important: We recommend excluding role-based email addresses from your contact lists, as these are often associated with groups rather than individuals and may not deliver reliably. Examples of role-based emails to avoid:

Most importantly, ensure that all contacts in your list have explicitly agreed to receive texts and emails from your company. This is a critical compliance requirement that helps build trust with your customers and ensures you meet legal obligations.

Following these guidelines will help maintain high deliverability rates, data quality, and compliance with industry best practices.

Import contacts from Excel or CSV file

Select Contacts from the main menu.
Click Import button.
Upload a file option is selected by default.
Choose the file you want to import from your computer and click Upload file.
Now, you will see a preview of your imported data. Match the Excel file columns with their respective Textmagic contact fields and click Continue.
If we’re unable to automatically validate your numbers, you’ll see a pop-up asking you to manually choose the country. If your contacts are from different countries, make sure a country code is included with each number in your Excel sheet.
It is recommended to select the list where you want the contacts to be added and click Continue.
Please note:
- If your Excel file has a ‘List’ column, you can match it during the import session.
- If you add a tag during import, you will later be able to use it to segment your contacts.

Your import session will now start. You will see your import results in the next step.

Once the import session is completed, you will receive an email to your account email address. You can also monitor the progress of your import session if you stay on the same page.

Paste numbers from clipboard

Select Contacts from the main menu.
Click Import button.
Select Copy and paste phone numbers.
Copy and paste your numbers into the box and click Continue. Please make sure:
If we cannot automatically validate the numbers you’ve pasted, we will show you a pop-up to select the country manually.
Add lists where you want the contacts to be added.

Your import session will start now. You will see your import results in the next step.

Once the import session is completed, you will receive an email to your account email address. You can also monitor the progress of your import session if you stay on the same page.

To check import results

Navigate to Contacts -> Imports
Click on the desired import session and review the contacts under the Imported, Duplicates excluded, Failed to import, and Landlines excluded tabs.

To avoid confusion, Textmagic does not import contacts that contain duplicate phone numbers. Textmagic imports these contacts only once, so that every contact number is unique.