Bulk importing contacts into Sidely lets you centralize your data efficiently while linking it to the companies already in the platform. Follow these steps to ensure a smooth, structured import.
Prepare your contact import
1. Check the prerequisites
Companies already imported:
Make sure your companies have been imported and are present in Sidely. Contacts must be linked to existing companies via their Sidely ID.
Creating contact tags (optional):
If you want to segment your contacts, remember to set up specific tags before starting the import (e.g., "Decision-maker", "Department manager")
Steps to import your contacts
1. Export your imported companies
Go to Companies and export your list of companies in Excel format.
This file will include the Sidely ID column, which is essential to link your contacts to the right companies.
2. Download the contact import template
Go to Settings (⚙️ at the top right).
Click Import/Export, then select Import from a file.
Download the contact import template.
3. Fill in the contact import template
Required fields:
Company Sidely ID: Link each contact to a company via its Sidely ID.
Last name and First name: Each contact must have at least a first name or a last name (use "X" if one of them is missing)
Status: enter your contact's status according to the company statuses defined on your platform (Prospect, Customer, etc.)
Email or Phone: Add at least one piece of contact information to ensure effective follow-up.
Owner: enter the name of the sales rep who owns the contact. It must be spelled exactly as it is saved on the platform.
Optional fields:
Position: Enter the contact's role or job title (e.g., "Director", "Purchasing manager").
Tags: Segment your contacts by adding specific tags.
Linking to companies:
Use a VLOOKUP formula in Excel to automatically match the Sidely ID of your exported companies to each contact in the Company ID field.
4. Save your file
Once your file is complete:
Save it in CSV or XLSX format.
Make sure no essential column is empty.
5. Import your contacts into Sidely
Go back to Settings > Import/Export.
Click Import from a file and select your file.
A column mapping page opens; select Contacts in the list on the right
Use the automatic mapping to quickly link the Excel columns to the platform fields
If all columns are correctly mapped, click Next.
If not, you can drag the fields on the right to the correct place, or onto the right-hand column to remove them and replace them with another one.
After clicking Next, click Check.
Tick the box in the window that opens, then click Confirm.
If the data is correct, the row will be green.
If the data is not correct, the row will be orange or red. You can edit the fields in error directly on the page in front of you. This saves you from having to edit the Excel file and re-import it.
Once you have made your changes, check the data again.
When the data is green, click Next.
A window shows a summary of the number of records imported. Click Import.
Once the data has been imported, you can check in a company that the contact was imported correctly.
Best practices for a successful import
Test with a small sample:
Start with about ten contacts to validate the process before importing everything.
Keep a master file:
Keep a copy of your file for future updates.
Fill in the required fields:
Make sure the essential columns (Name, Sidely ID, etc.) are filled in correctly.
FAQ
1. Can I import contacts without linking them to a company?
No, each contact must be linked to a company via the Sidely ID.
2. What if a contact is linked to several companies?
You will need to create a separate row for each company association.
3. Can contact tags be added after the import?
Yes, you can edit or add tags directly in Sidely after the import.
4. How do I check that the import was successful?
Go to the Contacts section to check that all contacts are present and linked to the right companies.
5. What should I do if errors are reported during the import?
Correct the errors in the Excel file following the instructions provided by Sidely, then run the import again.