Quick Answer
How do you troubleshoot a failed CSV contact import?
Go to Contacts → Bulk Actions, find the import, click Show Stats, and open the Error tab. Use the reported errors to correct the affected CSV rows, standardize the formatting, remove duplicate or invalid values, and then re-import the corrected file.
How Import Troubleshooting Works
A CSV import can fail for several reasons, including incorrect formatting, missing required information, duplicate identifiers, invalid contact IDs, or values that do not match a field's available options.
Instead of guessing what caused the problem, start with the import's error log.
The error information helps identify which rows failed and why so you can correct the CSV before trying the import again.
Fixing the underlying file first can also help reduce repeated failures and incomplete contact imports.
Start with the error log
Use the exact error reported by the import process to determine which field or row needs attention before changing the CSV.
CSV Troubleshooting at a Glance
Before You Begin
Keep the failed CSV available and review the import details before changing the file.
- Sign in to your BizStackPro account.
- Keep a copy of the CSV file that produced the errors.
- Open Contacts → Bulk Actions to locate the failed import.
- Use Show Stats and the Error tab before making corrections.
- Review unique fields such as email, phone, and Contact ID for duplicate values.
- Check formatting for phone numbers, dates, dropdowns, owners, and other mapped fields.
Step 1: Find Import Errors
Open the failed import details before making changes to your CSV.
Open Bulk Actions
Go to Contacts → Bulk Actions.
Find the Import
Locate the contact import you want to troubleshoot.
Open Show Stats
Click Show Stats next to the import task.
Open the Error Tab
Select the Error tab to review the detailed error messages for failed rows.
Identify the Affected Rows
Use the error information to determine which CSV values need to be corrected.
Fix the reported problem first
Most import problems come from formatting, missing required fields, duplicate values, or mismatched dropdown options. The error log helps you focus on the specific issue.
Common CSV Error Codes and Fixes
[email protected] and remove unnecessary
spaces.
+11234567890 or another valid regional format.
Avoid letters or extensions inside the phone-number field.
YYYY-MM-DD or
MM/DD/YYYY.
Accepted CSV Formats
Phone
E.164 is recommended, such as
+11234567890. The original guide also notes that
common US phone formats may work.
Date
Use one consistent format throughout the column, such as
YYYY-MM-DD.
Tags and Multi-Select
Separate multiple values with commas or semicolons, such as
Tag1, Tag2.
Dropdown Fields
Single-option values must match the saved dropdown option exactly.
Owner
Use the user's email address when possible to reduce conflicts between users with similar names.
Do Not Disturb
The original guide states that DND values commonly accept
True/False or Yes/No.
Tips for a Successful Import
Fix the file before retrying
Correct the CSV based on the error log before starting another import instead of repeatedly submitting the same broken file.
Timezone and Country Values
BizStackPro supports a range of standard timezone values. The original guide gives examples such as America/New_York, US/Pacific, Europe/London, and Asia/Tokyo.
The original guide also states that most countries are supported and that two-letter country codes such as US, CA, IN, and AU are commonly accepted when a country value is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I see error logs for a failed import?
How can I fix "Invalid Contact ID" errors?
What if I see duplicate errors in the CSV file?
How should I format phone numbers for import?
+11234567890. The original guide also states
that common US formats can be accepted.
Continue Learning
Continue learning how to prepare contact data and manage imports with these related Help Center guides.
