Importing Contacts
If you already keep a list of people in a spreadsheet --- exported from another address book, a mailing tool, or a CRM --- you do not have to retype them into Copera. The CSV import brings them in all at once with a short, guided three-step wizard.
You will find the import on the Contacts tab of Settings → Contacts, via the Import button next to New contact. Importing is available to workspace administrators.
Before You Start
Prepare a CSV file (a comma-separated spreadsheet, which you can export from virtually any spreadsheet app or address book):
- The first row should be a header row with column names (for example,
Name,Email,Phone,Company). You will match these columns to contact fields in the next step. - Each following row is one contact.
- At minimum, your file needs a column for the name and a column for the email. Everything else is optional.
Most tools --- spreadsheet apps, email providers, and CRMs --- can export contacts to CSV. Look for an "Export" or "Download as CSV" option. As long as the first row names the columns, Copera can work with it.
Step 1 — Upload Your File
- Click Import on the Contacts tab.
- Drag your CSV file onto the upload area, or click to choose a file from your computer.
Copera reads the file and shows a small preview of the first few rows so you can confirm it looks right before mapping.
Step 2 — Map Your Columns
Mapping tells Copera which column in your file corresponds to which contact field. To save you time, Copera auto-detects common columns by their header names (for example, a column called "E-mail" is matched to Email, "Company" to Organization, and so on) --- you only need to adjust anything it got wrong.
For each contact field, pick the matching column from your file:
| Contact field | Required? | What it fills |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Required | The contact's full name. |
| Required | The contact's primary email address. | |
| Phone | Optional | A phone number. |
| Organization | Optional | Company or employer. |
| Job title | Optional | Role or position. |
| Birthday | Optional | Date of birth. |
| Notes | Optional | Any free-text notes. |
| Tags | Optional | Category tags for the contact. |
Set any field you do not want to import to Not mapped. A preview of the first rows of your file stays visible while you map, so you can match columns with confidence.
The Tags column is split into multiple category tags automatically. Separate tag values in that column with a comma, semicolon, or new line, and Copera turns each into its own category on the contact.
When the required Name and Email columns are set, click Next to review.
Step 3 — Review and Start
The final step summarizes what is about to happen: the file you uploaded, how many rows it contains, and which of your columns map to each contact field. Use Back if you need to fix a mapping.
When everything looks right, click Start import.
While the Import Runs
Imports run in the background, so you do not have to sit and wait. As soon as you start one, you can close the dialog and keep working anywhere in Copera --- the import keeps going on its own.
A progress banner appears at the top of the Contacts page while an import is in progress, showing a progress bar and a running tally of how many contacts have been imported, skipped, and how many rows had errors. When the import finishes, you get a notification summarizing the results, and your new contacts appear in the directory.
Because imports run in the background, large files are no problem --- start the import, close the dialog, and carry on. You will be notified when it is done.
Frequently Asked Questions
What file format do I need?
A CSV file (comma-separated values) with a header row in the first line. Most spreadsheet apps, email providers, and CRMs can export to CSV.
What is the minimum my file needs?
A column for the contact's name and a column for their email. All other columns are optional.
Will I have to match columns by hand?
Copera auto-detects common columns by their header names, so usually you only confirm the mapping and adjust anything it missed.
How do I import tags or categories?
Map a column to the Tags field. Values in that column are split by comma, semicolon, or new line, and each becomes a category tag on the contact.
Do I have to wait for the import to finish?
No. Imports run in the background. Start the import, close the dialog, and keep working --- a banner shows live progress and you are notified when it completes.
What do the imported, skipped, and error counts mean?
Imported is how many contacts were successfully added, skipped is rows that were intentionally not added (for example, ones that did not contain enough information), and errors is rows Copera could not process. The final summary shows all three so you know exactly what came in.
Related Features
- Contacts Overview --- What Contacts is and how it connects to the rest of Copera.
- Using Contacts --- Create, edit, search, and organize contacts into lists once they are imported.