> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.theomnibot.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Import Contacts into ChatbotX Using a CSV File Upload

> Bring an existing customer list into ChatbotX by uploading a CSV file, mapping columns to contact fields, and applying tags or custom fields on import.

**Import Contacts** lets you bring an existing customer list into ChatbotX using a CSV file. This is useful when you need to add many contacts at once — for example, from a CRM export, an event registration file, a lead form download, or an internal sales list. Instead of creating contacts one by one, you can import the full list in a single step and map the data into the right fields inside ChatbotX.

## When to Use Import vs. Create Contact Manually

| Scenario                                                        | Recommended approach                           |
| --------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------- |
| You have dozens or hundreds of contacts from another system     | **Import Contacts** via CSV                    |
| You are adding a single new contact while already in the system | **Create Contact** button on the Contacts page |
| You have a lead form export or event sign-up sheet              | **Import Contacts** via CSV                    |
| A new customer called in and you want to log their details      | **Create Contact** button                      |

### Create a Contact Manually

If you only need to add one contact, the **Create Contact** button is the fastest path:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Contacts page">
    Go to **Contacts** from the left menu.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Create Contact">
    Click **Create Contact** in the top-right corner to open the new contact form.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Fill in the details and confirm">
    Enter the required fields, then click **Confirm** to save the new contact.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Import Contacts from a CSV File

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the import screen">
    Go to **Contacts**, click **Actions**, then choose **Import**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload the CSV file">
    Select the CSV file that contains your contact list. After the upload completes, the file name appears at the top of the import window.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a Source if needed">
    In the **Source (optional)** field, choose a source for the imported list if you want to classify the data immediately — for example, labeling it as "Offline Event" or "Email Campaign."
  </Step>

  <Step title="Map the columns">
    Select a CSV column on the left side and map it to the matching ChatbotX field on the right side. Repeat this for each column you want to import.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open More options if needed">
    Click **More options** to apply a Tag to every imported contact, or to map additional CSV data into Custom Fields.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Confirm the import">
    Review the mapping, then click **Confirm** to start the import. Click **Cancel** if you are not ready to proceed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Fields Shown on the Import Screen

The import screen contains the following areas:

| Item                | Purpose                                                              |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| File upload area    | Displays the CSV file currently selected for import                  |
| `Source (optional)` | Assigns a source classification to the entire imported contact group |
| Left column         | Lists the data columns available in your CSV file                    |
| Right column        | Lists the ChatbotX fields that will store the imported data          |
| `More options`      | Opens additional settings for Tag and Set Custom Field               |
| `Confirm`           | Starts the import process                                            |
| `Cancel`            | Closes the import window without saving any changes                  |

The current import screen supports mapping these standard fields:

* `Contact ID / Subscriber ID / PSID`
* `Phone number`
* `Email`
* `First name`
* `Last name`

## More Options

### Tag (Optional)

The **Tag** field in More options lets you apply the same tag to every contact in the import file at once. This is especially useful when you want to label an entire batch by campaign name, data source, or import date — for example, tagging all contacts with `offline-event-june` so you can filter them later.

### Set Custom Field

The **Set Custom Field** section lets you map additional CSV columns into existing Custom Field entries in ChatbotX. Choose the CSV column on the left, select the matching Custom Field on the right, then click **Add** to include that mapping.

<Note>
  If you do not yet have a Custom Field for the data you want to import, create it first in **Settings → Custom Fields** before starting the import. The field must exist in ChatbotX before you can map a CSV column to it.
</Note>

## Prepare Your CSV Before Importing

A little preparation before you start makes the mapping step faster and cleaner:

* Use clear, descriptive column headers in your CSV so they are easy to identify during mapping.
* Make sure key columns such as phone number, email, and name are in separate columns — not combined into one cell.
* Review the data first so you do not import records you no longer need, such as unsubscribed contacts or test entries.
* Decide which Tag or Custom Field values you want to apply in advance so you can configure More options in one pass.

## Check After the Import

After the import finishes, open **Contacts** again and inspect a few sample records to confirm the data landed in the correct fields. From there, you can:

* Use **Filter Contacts** to pull up only the imported group and verify the results quickly.
* Use **Bulk Actions** if you need to assign, tag, update Custom Fields, or export the newly imported contacts.

**Example use case:** Your sales team has a file named `contacts_list.csv` containing leads collected at an offline event. You import that file, map the phone number, email, and name columns, apply a `june-event` tag in More options, and add a Custom Field for the event location. The entire group is now in ChatbotX and ready for filtering, segmenting, and targeted follow-up.