# Import Contacts

You can Import Contacts into your website database from your local computer any Comma Separated Values (CSV) File. CSV file format is a universally accepted way to move data between systems. Most spreadsheet programs and databases can save data as a CSV text file so it is an ideal way to upload Contacts.

| ### Select Formatted Text File to Upload
CSV File: | Click on the [Browse] button to select a CSV text file from your local computer that contains the Contacts that you wish to import. NOTE: You do not need to import all the available columns.
| ### Import Options
Import Mode: | Import all Contacts: This mode imports all Contacts found in the CSV file, regardless of whether they already exist. If the Contact already exists (determined by a matching e-mail address), the opt-in and out-out values are copied (preserved) from the existing Contact to the new Contact. Only import Contacts with unique e-mail addresses: This mode imports ONLY the Contacts from the CSV file that contain e-mail addresses not shared by any existing Contact. This mode allows you to incrementally quot;overlay" new Contacts into the system without affecting any existing Contacts.
| ### Select Contact Groups to Import into
Import into Contact Groups: | Select one or more Contact Groups that you would like the Contacts to be added too.

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## Importing from Microsoft Outlook

You can easily import your Address Book from MS Outlook and create mailing lists for your important Contacts.

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## Importing from a Member Database

When importing Members, please include all Member IDs in the Member_id column.
A Member ID should be a string of characters that your the Member will know, because they will need to use them to register as Members after you have imported the unregistered Members.
Also, you may want to also include Expiration Dates in the expiration_date column.

After the Members have been imported, you should direct your unregistered Members to any Page on your website that is placed in a Membership Access Folder. When they reach this Page, the system will prompt them to register as a Member by displaying the Membership Entrance Page. They will need to know their Member ID to go beyond this Page. This step provide your members with secure login accounts for their protection.

Once the Member has successfully registered, the system will redirect them to the original Page in the Membership Access Folder you directed them too.

## Importing Affiliates

You can import Affiliates and their Affiliate Codes, and Commission Rates using the Contacts Import feature.

## Import from CSV file

The easiest way is to get your data into columns in a spreadsheet. You may import Contacts by uploading a CSV file. You can save a CSV file from Microsoft Excel. Here are the guidelines for the CSV file:

- The first row of the CSV file must contain the names of the columns that you wish to import data for.
- You may use any number of columns from the list below.
- Columns can be listed in any order.
- Column names must be similar to those in the list below (i.e. "first_name" or "First Name" or "FirstName" or "firstname" or etc.).
- Exported column names from Outlook are supported.
- The possible values for opt_in are "0" (Opt-Out) and "1" (Opt-In). "1" is the default.
- The possible values for affiliate_approved are "0" (not approved) and "1" (approved). "0" is the default.
- If you are saving a CSV file on a Mac, you might need to select the "Windows CSV" format in Excel.

Here is the list of the valid Contact Properties that you can import. Place one of the following on the first row of each of your data columns:

- email_address
- opt_out
- salutation
- first_name
- last_name
- suffix
- nickname
- company
- title
- department
- office_location
- business_address_1
- business_address_2
- business_city
- business_state
- business_country
- business_zip_code
- business_phone
- business_fax
- home_address_1
- home_address_2
- home_city
- home_state
- home_country
- home_zip_code
- home_phone
- home_fax
- mobile_phone
- website
- lead_source
- description
- member_id
- expiration_date
- affiliate_approved
- affiliate_name
- affiliate_code
- affiliate_commission_rate