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

# Import contacts from Excel or CSV

> Learn how to import contacts from Excel or CSV files, map contact fields and manage duplicate records in Kero.

If you already have customer information in a spreadsheet, you can import multiple contacts into Kero instead of creating each contact individually.

Kero supports **Excel and CSV files**, allowing you to import up to **40,000 rows per file**.

During the import, you can map spreadsheet columns to Kero contact fields, add contacts to a segment and decide how to handle existing contacts.

## Before you begin

Prepare your spreadsheet before starting the import.

* **One contact per row** — Each row should contain the details of one recipient.
* **Mobile numbers** — Include a mobile number for each contact, preferably in international format with the country code.
* **Column headings** — Use headings such as `First Name`, `Last Name`, `Mobile Number` and `Email Address`.
* **Additional information** — Include any other fields you want to store, such as `Customer Reference` or `Appointment Date`.

For example, your spreadsheet might contain:

| First Name | Last Name | Mobile Number | Email Address |
| - | - | - | - |
| Alex | Morgan | +447700900150 | [alex@example.com](mailto:alex@example.com) |
| Sam | Taylor | +447700900161 | [sam@example.com](mailto:sam@example.com) |

> [!TIP]
>
> Using column headings that match your existing Kero contact fields makes importing easier. Kero can automatically match these columns during the import process.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Make sure you are working in the correct Kero account before importing. Contacts are stored in the account into which they are imported.

## Step 1: Select your file

**1. Open Contacts**

From the Kero navigation menu, select **Contacts**.

**2. Start the import**

Click the **Upload** button above the Contacts list.

The contact import wizard opens.

**3. Choose your file**

Under **File**, click the upload icon and select your Excel or CSV file.

If your Excel file contains multiple worksheets, use **Select Sheet** to choose the worksheet containing the contacts you want to import.

**4. Choose a segment (optional)**

Under **Add imported contacts to Segment**, select the segment to which you want to add the imported contacts.

You can also organise contacts into segments after importing.

**5. Confirm your column headings**

If the first row of your spreadsheet contains column names, leave **Column names in first row** enabled.

If your file does not contain column headings, turn this option off.

**6. Choose how to handle existing contacts**

Kero identifies existing contacts using their mobile numbers.

Choose one of the available options:

* **Update** — Update the existing contact using information from the imported file.
* **Do not import** — Skip rows containing mobile numbers that already exist in your contacts.

> [!WARNING]
>
> If you choose **Update**, information in existing contact records may be changed using the values from your spreadsheet. Review your file carefully before continuing.

**7. Continue**

Click **Next** to proceed to column mapping.

![Select File step of the Kero contact import wizard](https://mintcdn.com/kerochat/1N_aRD14RPSN9Vxf/images/contacts/contacts-import-file.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=1N_aRD14RPSN9Vxf\&q=85\&s=787290961e150ed0f0adab5f7aad86f1)

## Step 2: Map your spreadsheet columns

Kero needs to know which contact field should receive the information from each column in your spreadsheet.

When you reach **Map Columns**, Kero displays the columns from your file alongside the corresponding **Kero Column Name**.

Columns with names matching existing contact fields are mapped automatically.

**1. Review the column mappings**

Check that each spreadsheet column is mapped to the correct Kero contact field.

For example:

* `First Name` → First Name
* `Last Name` → Last Name
* `Mobile Number` → Mobile Number
* `Email Address` → Email Address

**2. Correct any mappings**

If a column is mapped incorrectly, click its **Kero Column Name** and select the appropriate contact field.

You can clear the checkbox next to a column if you do not want to import its information.

**3. Create additional contact fields (optional)**

If your spreadsheet contains information that does not match an existing Kero contact field, the mapping may show `<create>`.

This means Kero will create a new custom contact field for that column during the import.

For example, importing a column named `Customer Reference` can create a custom field with that name.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Custom fields created during an import become available for contacts in your Kero account.
>
> You can rename or delete these fields later under **Settings → Contact Columns**.

**4. Format mobile numbers (if needed)**

If your spreadsheet contains mobile numbers without international country codes, use **Format mobile numbers** to select the appropriate country.

Kero uses this selection to add the country code to numbers that need it.

> [!TIP]
>
> Check that the selected country matches the mobile numbers in your file. If your contacts have numbers from multiple countries, preparing them in international format before importing is preferable.

**5. Continue**

Once your columns are mapped correctly, click **Next**.

![Select File step of the Kero contact import wizard](https://mintcdn.com/kerochat/1N_aRD14RPSN9Vxf/images/contacts/contacts-import-map.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=1N_aRD14RPSN9Vxf\&q=85\&s=6afc17a34d05261f14dab0de55b6ec2e)

### Reset or automatically map columns

If you need to start your mappings again, click **Reset Mappings**.

You can then:

* Map each column manually.
* Click **Auto Map Columns** to match columns with existing Kero fields.
* Click **Auto Map Columns** a second time to map remaining columns as new custom fields.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Check all fields marked `<create>` before continuing. Each of these will become a new custom contact field when the import is completed.

## Step 3: Review and submit your import

Before importing your contacts, Kero displays a preview of the contact information.

**1. Review the contacts**

Check the displayed information to confirm that:

* Names appear in the correct fields.
* Mobile numbers have been formatted correctly.
* Additional information is mapped to the intended fields.
* The records are ready to import.

**2. Start the import**

Click **Next** to submit the contacts for import.

**3. Review the import results**

Once processing is complete, Kero displays a summary showing how many contacts were:

* **Added** — New contacts successfully created.
* **Updated** — Existing contacts updated from the file.
* **Skipped** — Rows not imported, such as existing contacts excluded by your duplicate-handling selection.
* **Failed** — Rows that could not be imported.

**4. Finish**

Click **Finish** to return to your Contacts list.

![Select File step of the Kero contact import wizard](https://mintcdn.com/kerochat/1iG_Tuu5ivXjODdE/images/contacts/contacts-import-review.png?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=1iG_Tuu5ivXjODdE\&q=85\&s=05d2411c7c5929eaaab070db3a540e3b)

## Troubleshooting imports

### The Next button is unavailable during column mapping

Kero requires a column containing valid mobile numbers mapped to **Mobile Number**.

Check that:

* Your spreadsheet contains mobile numbers.
* The correct spreadsheet column is mapped to **Mobile Number**.
* Mobile numbers include the international country code, or you have selected the appropriate country under **Format mobile numbers**.

### Some contacts were skipped

If you selected **Do not import** for existing contacts, Kero skips rows with mobile numbers already present in your Contacts list.

If you intended to update those contacts, repeat the import and select **Update** instead.

### Some contacts failed to import

Review the source spreadsheet for missing or incorrectly formatted mobile numbers and check the column mappings before trying again.

### An unexpected custom field was created

This can happen when a spreadsheet column is mapped to `<create>` rather than an existing Kero contact field.

You can manage custom fields under **Settings → Contact Columns**.

## After importing

Your imported contacts are available in the Contacts list.

You can now:

* Search for and update individual contacts.
* Organise contacts into segments.
* Use contact information to personalise messages.
* Select contacts or segments as recipients for campaigns.

> [!TIP]
>
> After a large import, review a few contact records to confirm that names, mobile numbers and custom fields were imported as expected.


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