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Importing from CSV
Bulk import leads from a spreadsheet file. Asan CRM validates your data, lets you map columns to fields, and creates a lead for each row — hundreds or thousands of contacts in one upload.
How CSV import works
The import tool accepts .csv and .xlsx files. You upload your file, map each spreadsheet column to the matching Asan CRM field, preview the results, and confirm. Asan validates every row before importing so you can catch errors up front instead of cleaning up later.
Not sure about the format? Download the CSV template from the import screen. It includes all available columns with example data so you can fill it in and re-upload.
Step-by-step import
- Open the import tool. Go to Leads in the sidebar and click "Import CSV" in the toolbar at the top of the leads table.
- Upload your file. Drag and drop your
.csvor.xlsxfile into the upload area, or click to browse. You can also click "Download Template" to get a pre-formatted spreadsheet. - Map your columns. Asan CRM shows each column header from your file and asks you to match it to a field — name, email, phone, company, status, source, address, or any custom field. Columns you do not need can be skipped.
- Review the preview. A table shows the first rows as they will appear in Asan CRM. Rows with validation errors (missing required fields, invalid phone format) are highlighted so you can fix them or remove them before importing.
- Click Import. Asan creates a lead for each valid row. The imported leads appear immediately in your leads table with a source of "CSV Import."
Supported fields
| Field | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Yes | First name, last name, or full name — Asan splits automatically |
| Phone | No | 10-digit or international format. Used for calling and SMS. |
| No | Used for email outreach and campaign targeting | |
| Company | No | Organization or business name |
| Status | No | New, Cold, Warm, Hot — defaults to "New" if blank |
| Source | No | Where the lead came from (e.g., Website, Referral, Facebook) |
| Address | No | Street, city, state/province, zip/postal code |
| Tags | No | Comma-separated list of tags to apply on import |
| Custom fields | No | Any custom fields you have created appear in the mapper |
Tips for a clean import
- Use the template. The CSV template has the exact column names Asan expects, so mapping is automatic.
- Include a name for every row. Name is the only required field — rows without a name are skipped.
- Format phone numbers consistently. Asan handles most formats (with or without country code, dashes, spaces), but consistent formatting reduces validation warnings.
- Remove header rows or summary rows. Extra non-data rows at the top or bottom of your file can cause mapping errors.
- Check for duplicates before importing. Asan does not automatically merge duplicates during import. If your file contains contacts that already exist, you may end up with duplicate leads. Use Cori's Database Intelligence after import to find and merge any duplicates.
After a large import, Cori automatically offers to run a Database Intelligence scan. This checks for duplicate contacts, missing data, and other quality issues — accept the prompt to clean up your database in one step.
Handling validation errors
If any rows have issues, the preview screen highlights them in red with a description of the problem. Common errors include:
- Missing name — every lead needs at least a name. Add one or remove the row.
- Invalid phone number — the number could not be parsed. Check for extra characters or incomplete digits.
- Invalid email format — the email address is malformed. Correct it or leave the field blank.
You can fix errors directly in your spreadsheet and re-upload, or skip the problematic rows and import the rest.
Frequently asked
What file formats are supported?+
.csv (comma-separated values) and .xlsx (Excel) files are both supported.Is there a row limit?+
There is no hard limit, but very large files (50,000+ rows) may take a few minutes to process. For files this size, consider splitting them into batches.
What happens if my file has duplicates?+
Asan CRM imports every row as a new lead. It does not automatically deduplicate. After import, use Cori's Database Intelligence to detect and merge duplicates.
Can I undo an import?+
There is no one-click undo, but you can filter leads by source "CSV Import" and the import date, then bulk-delete them if needed.
Do imported leads get scored automatically?+
Imported leads start with a default status (usually "New"). Once you begin interacting with them — calls, emails, SMS — Asan's SMART scoring system kicks in and adjusts their status automatically.
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Last updated 16 Jun 2026 · Applies to: Asan CRM