Import contacts from a file
Bulk-import contacts into Upper from a CSV, XLS, or XLSX file. Map your spreadsheet columns to Upper's contact fields so your existing format doesn't have to change.
Upper imports contacts in bulk from a spreadsheet, so you don't have to add customers one at a time. Upload a CSV, XLS, or XLSX file, match its columns to Upper's contact fields, and Upper saves the rows into your address book.
This article uses Upper's default driver/delivery labels (such as Delivery and Pre Assigned Drivers). Your workspace may be configured to show Technician/Service terms instead — the labels are configurable per workspace, but the steps are the same.
Why import in bulk
Most teams come to Upper with a customer list already in a spreadsheet, exported from a CRM, or pulled from accounting software. Importing brings that whole list into your address book in one pass, so the contacts are ready to drop into routes instead of being re-typed.
Before you start
- Where: the Contacts page (left sidebar: Manage > Contacts).
- File types:
.csv,.xls, or.xlsx. - File size: up to 15 MB per file.
- Address book capacity: your address book has a capacity based on your plan. If an import would push you past that limit, Upper blocks the extra rows and shows an upgrade message.
How to import
Upper offers two import options in the + Add menu: Import Contacts and Import Contacts With Preview. Both use the same import engine and both save your column mapping — the difference is the interface. We recommend Import Contacts With Preview because it walks you through the mapping and shows your data before anything is saved.
Open the Contacts page
In the left sidebar, go to Manage > Contacts.
Start the import
Click + Add, then choose Import Contacts With Preview.
Upload your file
In the Upload spreadsheet window, upload your .csv, .xls, or .xlsx file (up to 15 MB). This is step 1 Upload of the three-step flow.
Select the header row
Move to 2 Select header and confirm which row in your file holds the column titles, so Upper reads the right row as your headers.
Map your columns
On 3 Review & Import, match each column in your file to an Upper contact field. The window shows how many columns are mapped (for example, "Column Mapping — 4 of 6 columns mapped"). Use each column's dropdown to pick the matching Upper field, or search for it.
Review and import
Check the preview table. You can turn on Show only rows with issues to focus on rows that need attention. When the mapping looks right, confirm the import to save the contacts to your address book.
What you can map
The only field Upper needs in order to save a contact is the address — everything else is optional. When your spreadsheet headers match Upper's field names, the columns map automatically; otherwise, set them by hand on the mapping step.
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Address Line 1 | Required — Upper needs an address to save the contact. |
| Business / Company Name | Optional. |
| Optional. | |
| Phone / Country Phone Code | Optional. |
| Nick Name | Optional. |
| Notes | Optional. |
| Contact custom fields | Your workspace's contact custom fields appear as mappable targets when configured. |
Upper can also auto-detect mappings for service time, time windows, stop type, pre-assigned drivers, and parcel count when those columns are present.
If your plan doesn't include time windows, the time-window and Pre Assigned Drivers import fields are disabled during mapping.
Clean your file before uploading. Remove duplicate rows, use a consistent address format, and fill in any blank addresses. Fixing issues in the spreadsheet is faster than fixing them one contact at a time inside Upper.
After importing
Imported addresses are checked against Upper's address verification. If any addresses can't be matched or look like duplicates, use the red alert control on the Contacts toolbar to review and fix them. See Validate and clean contact addresses for the full process.
Importing adds new contacts to your address book. It does not merge rows against contacts you already have, so if your file overlaps with existing records you may end up with duplicates — see Merge duplicate contacts.
Troubleshooting
Related
Filter contacts by tags, zones, or custom fields
Use the Filter dropdown in Upper to narrow contacts by date, city, state, or any custom field your workspace uses — then select the matches for routing or export.
Merge duplicate contacts
Upper has no automatic contact merge. Find duplicates with search and filters, copy missing details into the record you keep, then delete the extras.