CSV File Format for Importing Contacts and Opportunities

This article will help you format your CSV file correctly before importing it into Accommador. By following this guide, you’ll avoid common import errors, save time, and ensure your data flows seamlessly into your CRM.

Key Benefits of Preparing

Your CSV FileTaking the time to format your CSV file correctly before importing ensures your contact data is clean, complete, and mapped accurately. Reduces the chance of import errors or upload failuresHelps Accommador automatically map fields during importEnables contact deduplication and accurate updatesSupports custom fields and advanced segmentationSaves time by avoiding post-import cleanupIncreases success with bulk contact/opportunity uploadsWhat is a CSV File Format?

CSV stands for 'Comma-Separated Values'. It's a simple file format used to store tabular data like spreadsheets or databases. Each line in a CSV file represents a single record, and fields within the record are separated by commas. It’s one of the most widely used formats for importing and exporting data between different systems.

CSV files typically have a .csv extension. You can create or edit them in tools like Excel, Google Sheets, or Notepad. Ensure only one sheet is present in the file to prevent import issues.

Example

: First NameLast [email protected][email protected]+10987654321Structuring Your FileTo ensure accurate data mapping, structure your CSV file with column headers corresponding to standard or custom fields in Accommador. 1. Sample CSV FormatFirst NameLast NameEmailPhoneCompanyTagsStatusCreated DateAdditional [email protected]+11234567890ABC CorpVIP, LeadNew01/01/[email protected]+15556667777XYZ LtdCustomerActive02/02/2024+17877123464Each row represents a single contact or opportunity.

Each column represents a distinct property. The header row is required to map fields correctly. 2. Mandatory FieldsAt least one of the following is required to create or update a contact: First NameEmail AddressPhone NumberNote: For updating contacts, a Unique Identifier (Contact ID, Email, or Phone) is required based on your deduplication settings.

For opportunities, include the Opportunity ID if updating. Without it, a new one will be created. 3. Field FormattingFollow these specific formatting rules to avoid import failures: Field TypeAccepted Formats / NotesDate Picker (Date Fields)MM/DD/YYYY, YYYY/MM/DD, MM-DD-YYYY, YYYY-MM-DDMulti-Select / CheckboxCommas: VIP, Lead, Semicolons: Gold; Silver, Periods: Yes.

No❌ Slashes = InvalidSingle Option (Dropdown)One value only. Example: BlueContact OwnerFirstName LastName — e.g., Logan PaulTagsCommas, semicolons, or periods. e.g., Blue, Yellow, Blue; YellowPhone NumberE. 164: +11234567890 (recommended); also 123-456-7890, (123) 456-7890 (US only)Invalid Phone Formats1234567, abc1234567Numerical Fields1. 23, 1234, .

123Monetary Fields1234, 1, 234, 234. 33Contact FollowersFirstName LastName, FirstName2 LastName2 — e.g., Adam Smith, David LeeAdditional [email protected], [email protected] Phone Numbers+1 7877123460, +1 78771234614. Supported File Type and File SizeYour file must meet certain basic requirements for a successful upload. RequirementDetailsFile Format.csv onlySheets AllowedOne sheet per fileMax File Size30 MB5.

Required and Optional Fields for ImportIncluding the right fields helps Accommador identify and process your records accurately. Import ActionRequired/Optional FieldsNotesNew ContactName or Email, or PhoneAt least one is requiredUpdate Existing ContactContact ID or Name/Email/PhoneDepends on duplicate settingsHeader RowRequiredHeaders must match existing or custom fields in Accommador6.

Formatting Guidelines by Field TypeTo prevent import errors, follow these formatting rules for each data type in your CSV. Field TypeFormatExampleNotesPhone NumberE. 164 or standard US formats+1 1234567890123-456-7890Clean and consistent formattingEmail AddressStandard [email protected] include @ and domainDateMultiple accepted formats04/16/2025, 2025-04-16Choose one format and stick to itMulti-Select FieldsSeparate with ,, ;, or .

Blue, Yellow, GreenMust match field options in CRMAdditional [email protected], [email protected] in a separate columnAdditional PhonesComma-separated1234567890, 9876543210Add in a separate columnTip: Before importing your CSV, ensure custom fields are already created in your Accommador account using the same labels and data types. For help with creating custom fields, refer to Overview of Merge Fields & Custom VariablesSupported Countries List in CSV ImportsThis section contains a table of country names accepted during CSV imports into Accommador.

These are the official country values that should be used in your CSV file when mapping a country field, whether standard or custom. Use the exact country names or short codes listed below in your CSV file. Purpose: Accommador validates country names during import. If your CSV includes a Country field, each row must match one of the exact names in this list.

Format: Must match exactly—case-sensitive and spelling-sensitive. For example, United States is accepted, but USA or U. S. will cause an error. Custom Field Use: If you're using a custom country field, you can still benefit from sticking to this list to maintain compatibility.

Country Name (Code)Country Name (Code)Country Name (Code)Afghanistan (AF)Albania (AL)Algeria (DZ)Andorra (AD)Angola (AO)Antigua and Barbuda (AG)Argentina (AR)Armenia (AM)Australia (AU)Austria (AT)Azerbaijan (AZ)Bahamas (BS)Bahrain (BH)Bangladesh (BD)Barbados (BB)Belarus (BY)Belgium (BE)Belize (BZ)Benin (BJ)Bhutan (BT)Bolivia (BO)Bosnia and Herzegovina (BA)Botswana (BW)Brazil (BR)Brunei (BN)Bulgaria (BG)Burkina Faso (BF)Burundi (BI)Cabo Verde (CV)Cambodia (KH)Cameroon (CM)Canada (CA)Central African Republic (CF)Chad (TD)Chile (CL)China (CN)Colombia (CO)Comoros (KM)Congo (CG)Congo (Kinshasa) (CD)Costa Rica (CR)Croatia (HR)Cuba (CU)Cyprus (CY)Czech Republic (CZ)Denmark (DK)Djibouti (DJ)Dominica (DM)Dominican Republic (DO)East Timor (TL)Ecuador (EC)Egypt (EG)El Salvador (SV)Equatorial Guinea (GQ)Eritrea (ER)Estonia (EE)Eswatini (SZ)Ethiopia (ET)Fiji (FJ)Finland (FI)France (FR)Gabon (GA)Gambia (GM)Georgia (GE)Germany (DE)Ghana (GH)Greece (GR)Grenada (GD)Guatemala (GT)Guinea (GN)Guinea-Bissau (GW)Guyana (GY)Haiti (HT)Honduras (HN)Hungary (HU)Iceland (IS)India (IN)Indonesia (ID)Iran (IR)Iraq (IQ)Ireland (IE)Israel (IL)Italy (IT)Jamaica (JM)Japan (JP)Jordan (JO)Kazakhstan (KZ)Kenya (KE)Kiribati (KI)Korea, North (KP)Korea, South (KR)Kosovo (XK)Kuwait (KW)Kyrgyzstan (KG)Laos (LA)Latvia (LV)Lebanon (LB)Lesotho (LS)Liberia (LR)Libya (LY)Liechtenstein (LI)Lithuania (LT)Luxembourg (LU)Madagascar (MG)Malawi (MW)Malaysia (MY)Maldives (MV)Mali (ML)Malta (MT)Marshall Islands (MH)Mauritania (MR)Mauritius (MU)Mexico (MX)Micronesia (FM)Moldova (MD)Monaco (MC)Mongolia (MN)Montenegro (ME)Morocco (MA)Mozambique (MZ)Myanmar (MM)Namibia (NA)Nauru (NR)Nepal (NP)Netherlands (NL)New Zealand (NZ)Nicaragua (NI)Niger (NE)Nigeria (NG)North Macedonia (MK)Norway (NO)Oman (OM)Pakistan (PK)Palau (PW)Panama (PA)Papua New Guinea (PG)Paraguay (PY)Peru (PE)Philippines (PH)Poland (PL)Portugal (PT)Qatar (QA)Romania (RO)Russia (RU)Rwanda (RW)Saint Kitts and Nevis (KN)Saint Lucia (Accommador)Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (VC)Samoa (WS)San Marino (SM)Sao Tome and Principe (ST)Saudi Arabia (SA)Senegal (SN)Serbia (RS)Seychelles (SC)Sierra Leone (SL)Singapore (SG)Slovakia (SK)Slovenia (SI)Solomon Islands (SB)Somalia (SO)South Africa (ZA)South Sudan (SS)Spain (ES)Sri Lanka (LK)Sudan (SD)Suriname (SR)Sweden (SE)Switzerland (CH)Syria (SY)Taiwan (TW)Tajikistan (TJ)Tanzania (TZ)Thailand (TH)Togo (TG)Tonga (TO)Trinidad and Tobago (TT)Tunisia (TN)Turkey (TR)Turkmenistan (TM)Tuvalu (TV)Uganda (UG)Ukraine (UA)United Arab Emirates (AE)United Kingdom (GB)United States (US)Uruguay (UY)Uzbekistan (UZ)Vanuatu (VU)Vatican City (VA)Venezuela (VE)Vietnam (VN)Yemen (YE)Zambia (ZM)Zimbabwe (ZW)Supported TimezonesUse one of the following timezone formats in your CSV.

These are case-sensitive and must match exactly. TimezoneTimezoneTimezoneEtc/GMT+12Pacific/MidwayPacific/HonoluluAmerica/JuneauUS/AlaskaAmerica/DawsonAmerica/Los_AngelesAmerica/PhoenixAmerica/TijuanaUS/ArizonaAmerica/BelizeAmerica/BoiseAmerica/ChihuahuaAmerica/DenverAmerica/EdmontonAmerica/GuatemalaAmerica/ManaguaAmerica/ReginaCanada/SaskatchewanUS/MountainAmerica/Bahia_BanderasAmerica/BogotaAmerica/CancunAmerica/ChicagoAmerica/Mexico CityUS/CentralAmerica/CaracasAmerica/DetroitAmerica/Indiana/IndianapolisAmerica/LouisvilleAmerica/ManausAmerica/New_YorkAmerica/SantiagoAmerica/Santo_DomingoAmerica/TorontoUS/East-IndianaUS/EasternAmerica/Argentina/Buenos_AiresAmerica/Glace_BayAmerica/MontevideoAmerica/Sao_PauloCanada/AtlanticAmerica/St_JohnsCanada/NewfoundlandAmerica/GodthabAmerica/NoronhaEtc/GMT+2Atlantic/Cape_VerdeAtlantic/AzoresUTCAfrica/AlgiersAfrica/CasablancaAfrica/LagosAtlantic/CanaryEurope/LondonAfrica/CairoAfrica/HarareEurope/AmsterdamEurope/BelgradeEurope/BrusselsEurope/MadridEurope/OsloEurope/SarajevoAfrica/NairobiAsia/AmmanAsia/BaghdadAsia/JerusalemAsia/KuwaitAsia/QatarEurope/AthensEurope/BucharestEurope/HelsinkiEurope/MoscowAsia/BakuAsia/DubaiAsia/KabulAsia/TehranAsia/KarachiAsia/YekaterinburgAsia/ColomboAsia/KolkataAsia/CalcuttaAsia/KathmanduAsia/AlmatyAsia/DhakaAsia/RangoonAsia/BangkokAsia/KrasnoyarskAsia/IrkutskAsia/Kuala_LumpurAsia/ShanghaiAsia/TaipeiAustralia/PerthAsia/SeoulAsia/TokyoAsia/YakutskAustralia/AdelaideAustralia/DarwinAsia/VladivostokAustralia/BrisbaneAustralia/CanberraAustralia/HobartAustralia/SydneyPacific/GuamAsia/MagadanPacific/AucklandPacific/FijiPacific/TongatapuFrequently Asked QuestionsQ: Can I import contacts with more than one phone number or email?

Yes! Use separate columns like Additional phone numbers and Additional email addresses, and separate entries with commas. Q: What happens if I include a field in the CSV that doesn’t exist in Accommador? That field will be ignored unless you map it to an existing standard or custom field during the import process.

Q: Will Accommador detect duplicates automatically? Yes, based on your Duplicate Detection Settings, it can match by Contact ID, phone, or email and either merge or skip duplicates. Q: Can I update contacts with a CSV import? Absolutely.

Just make sure you're including a field used in your duplicate matching (like Contact ID, email, or phone). Q: Do I need to clean blank rows and columns? Yes. It’s best to remove all unnecessary data to avoid unexpected import behavior.