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CSV Importer

Jomar
Updated

Settings & Configuration
Name & Description
Email Recipients
Processing Rules
Standard Rules
Rules for Existing Contacts
Advanced Options
Force Sending a Survey
Survey Template Configuration
Column Mapping

Introduction

The CSV Importer in AskNicely helps you efficiently upload and manage Contact data while streamlining the process of sending surveys. Whether you're bringing in one-off lists or automating regular imports, this tool combines the ease of our original uploader with the intelligence of the Email-to-CSV Importer.

Use the CSV Importer to:

  • Add or update Contacts with custom fields

  • Automate survey sends

  • Maintain consistency across imports using reusable templates

If you're new to CSVs, check out our guide on Creating a CSV Database.

Video Tutorial

Step-by-Step Instructions

📓Prepare your CSV

  • Your file must be saved as a .CSV file (using the UTF-8 encoded option) and should be no larger than 6MB. It may be possible to import larger files, but we suggest breaking up larger files into files that are a maximum of 6MB. 
  • Make sure there are no special characters anywhere in the CSV.
  • A populated Email column is mandatory. You can add additional headers (columns) as long as all headers are unique and only contain numbers, letters or underscores.
  • Multi-values separated by ";". Multi-values are only supported in Custom Fields (See "Column Mapping" section below)

✅ Getting Started

  1. Go to App Store > Integrate > CSV Importer

  2. Or click Import Contacts on the Contacts Page

  3. Click Configure, then either:

    • Click Browse File, or

    • Drag & Drop your CSV file

💡 Tip: Treat your CSV file as a template for future uploads. This ensures clean, consistent reporting.

Settings & Configuration

1. Name & Description

  • Choose a clear, recognizable name (e.g., Support Ticket Contacts)

  • Add a meaningful description to recall the purpose later

2. Email Recipients

  • Your email auto-fills by default

  • Add stakeholders who should receive import summary notifications

Processing Rules

Choose one of the following options for how imported Contacts will be handled:

Standard Rules

  • Import Only
    Updates custom fields, activates Contacts, and refreshes the list

  • Import and Survey
    By default, it follows your Global Contact Rule and immediately sends surveys to contacts who meet its requirements.

    • Disable Global Contact Rules: When clicking Import and Survey, you can also toggle off the option that applies the Global Contact Rules. By ignoring the contact rules, all contacts uploaded will be surveyed, regardless of when they were last surveyed. 
      image (32).png

🔄 Contact data can only be updated via CSV imports to ensure alignment with your CRM.

Rules for Existing Contacts

  • Do Nothing
    Keeps existing Contacts untouched (already Active ones remain Active)

  • Deactivate Them
    Makes only the imported Contacts Active, deactivating others

    ✅ Existing response data remains intact

Advanced Options

  • Import & Queue
    Queues Contacts to receive a survey today. Great for just-in-time sends or segmented survey delivery.
    ➤ You’ll still need to visit the Queue Page to complete the send.

  • Deactivate All
    Use this to clean out Contacts who shouldn’t be surveyed for now but might be in the future

Survey Template Configuration

You can assign Survey Templates in two ways:

  • Use one template for all contacts
    Select a single Template from the dropdown to apply to all

  • Use a column to identify my template
    Choose a column from your CSV where the Template name is listed

    📝 The value must exactly match an existing Survey Template name

The following generally apply when updating existing Contacts, opposed to adding new Contacts. When adding a new batch of Contacts, these will be toggled OFF. 

Keep each contact's existing survey template 
In some Scheduler configurations, it's necessary for Contacts to have an inherent Template attached to them. This option prevents edited Contacts from having a new Template assigned.

Don't change existing contacts' active status 
If this is toggled off, all of the Inactive Contacts you are updating will be reactivated. If it is toggled on, all Contact active/inactive status will remain the same. 

Column Mapping

After uploading your file:

  • Confirm the correct header row was detected

  • Review which CSV columns map to AskNicely fields

  • Decide which fields to import or ignore

🔁 AskNicely pre-maps columns based on past imports but allows renaming or reassigning mappings

 

‼️ NOTE: When mapping your columns, there will be two sections of AskNicely fields to choose from...

"AskNicely" 

This top section is a list of reserved fields in AskNicely. This is where you will map your Contacts' email addresses and names. 
This is how AskNicely knows that the mapped email column is the primary email address that will be used to send surveys*, and the mapped name is displayed in the name sections of Contacts and Responses.

"Custom Data" 

This lower section is a list of your Custom Fields. These are fields that you created when mapping previous CSV columns (or API key values).  

 

When creating a new Importer, be sure to map corresponding CSV columns to existing Custom Fields whenever possible. This will avoid data clutter and confusion when filtering Contacts and Responses. 

The mapping interface will tell you if the CSV column header matches an existing Custom Field name. 

 

*This option is not visible when using email as a fall back option. To understand the "Mobile (Primary Survey Method)" option, see our SMS article.

 

💡 Hot Tips:

  • Fields appear in lowercase with underscores (e.g., region_code)

  • Use the toggle to capitalize the first letter of field values for clean data

  • Separate multiple data points in one field using ;

Check Point Before Import

Before finalizing the import:

  • Click Edit Settings, Edit Mapping, or Start Over if needed

  • If satisfied, click Continue

  • You'll receive a Confirmation Summary Email

Congrats! Your data is now in AskNicely 🎉

FAQs & Common Issues

  • Q: Can I change an Importer’s function after it’s created?
    A: No, you’ll need to delete and recreate it to change processing behavior.

  • Q: Why didn’t my survey send?
    A: Ensure you selected "Import and Survey" or used the Queue option with "Import Only".

  • Q: What do import status messages mean?
    A:

    • Newly Added / Updated – Contacts were created or refreshed

    • Skipped as Duplicate – Repeated emails in your CSV

    • Deactivated – Contacts not found in the CSV (when "Fully Update" is selected)

    • Invalid Emails – Formatting errors (e.g. test@.com)

    • Blocked Emails – Emails on your internal blocklist

Next Steps & Related Articles

Video Tutorial

🎥 

This video shows the process of creating an Importer

Editing Settings

You cannot change the primary processing function (e.g., Import vs. Import & Survey) after creation.
To adjust it, create a new Importer.

You can edit:

  • Importer Name

  • Description

  • Confirmation Email Recipients

  • Column Mappings
    → Click the three-dot menu beside the Importer and select View Details

Need help? Contact us via the chat icon in AskNicely or email support@asknice.ly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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