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:
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Add or update Contacts with custom fields
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Automate survey sends
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Maintain consistency across imports using reusable templates
If you're new to CSVs, check out our guide on Creating a CSV Database.
Step-by-Step Instructions
✅ Getting Started
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Go to App Store > Integrate > CSV Importer
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Or click Import Contacts on the Contacts Page
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Click Configure, then either:
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Click Browse File, or
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Drag & Drop your CSV file
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💡 Tip: Treat your CSV file as a template for future uploads. This ensures clean, consistent reporting.
Settings & Configuration
1. Name & Description
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Choose a clear, recognizable name (e.g., Support Ticket Contacts)
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Add a meaningful description to recall the purpose later
2. Email Recipients
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Your email auto-fills by default
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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
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Import Only
Updates custom fields, activates Contacts, and refreshes the list -
Import and Survey
Follows your Global Contact Rule and immediately sends surveys via the default Survey Template
🔄 Contact data can only be updated via CSV imports to ensure alignment with your CRM.
Rules for Existing Contacts
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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
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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
Force Sending a Survey
Want to override your Contact Rules?
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Select Import Only
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On the "Checkpoint" step, check the box to Queue Contacts
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Adjust the Contact Rule prompt to 0 Days
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Head to the Queue Page (a tab on the Scheduler page) and select "Survey everyone in the queue now"
⚠️ Use caution—re-surveying unresponsive Contacts may hurt your response rate and lead to unsubscribes
Survey Template Configuration
You can assign Survey Templates in two ways:
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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
Column Mapping
After uploading your file:
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Confirm the correct header row was detected
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Review which CSV columns map to AskNicely fields
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Decide which fields to import or ignore
🔁 AskNicely pre-maps columns based on past imports but allows renaming or reassigning mappings
💡 Hot Tips:
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Fields appear in lowercase with underscores (e.g.,
region_code
) -
Use the toggle to capitalize the first letter of field values for clean data
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Separate multiple data points in one field using
;
Check Point Before Import
Before finalizing the import:
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Click Edit Settings, Edit Mapping, or Start Over if needed
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If satisfied, click Continue
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You'll receive a Confirmation Summary Email
Congrats! Your data is now in AskNicely 🎉
FAQs & Common Issues
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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
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Skipped as Duplicate – Repeated emails in your CSV
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Deactivated – Contacts not found in the CSV (when "Fully Update" is selected)
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Invalid Emails – Formatting errors (e.g.
test@.com
) -
Blocked Emails – Emails on your internal blocklist
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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:
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Importer Name
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Description
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Confirmation Email Recipients
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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.