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CSV Importer

Jomar
  • Updated

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

✅ 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
    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

  • 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

Force Sending a Survey

Want to override your Contact Rules?

  1. Select Import Only

  2. On the "Checkpoint" step, check the box to Queue Contacts

  3. Adjust the Contact Rule prompt to 0 Days

  4. 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:

  • 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:

  • 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

💡 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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