--- title: How do I import contacts into Contact Groups? description: Streamlining Your Contact Management with Bulk Upload in iluminr --- [Skip to content](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/how-do-i-import-contacts-into-contact-groups#main-content) English Show submenu for translations ![iluminr logo](https://help.iluminr.io/hs-fs/hubfs/iluminr%20logo.png?width=227&height=48&name=iluminr%20logo.png) Open main navigation Close main navigation - English Show submenu for translations - [Log in to iluminr](https://login.catalysttech.co/) [Log in to iluminr](https://login.catalysttech.co/) iluminr Knowledge Base - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge base](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge?hsLang=en) 2. [iluminr for Admin Users](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/iluminr-for-admin-users?hsLang=en) 3. [Event Room Management](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/iluminr-for-admin-users?hsLang=en#event-room-management) # How do I import contacts into Contact Groups? ## Streamlining Your Contact Management with Bulk Upload in iluminr iluminr [Admin Users](https://help.catalysttech.co/en/articles/5681539-3-people-management-users#h_bd2aac006c) can save time by bulk importing contacts into existing contact groups. In this article, we'll guide you through the step-by-step process for bulk importing contacts into contact groups. With the help of annotated screenshots, you'll be able to quickly and easily manage your contacts and keep your contact groups up to date. - [How do I import contacts into Contact Groups?](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/how-do-i-import-contacts-into-contact-groups#import-howtoimport) - [Preparing Your Contacts for Bulk Upload](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/how-do-i-import-contacts-into-contact-groups#import-prepareforimport) --- ### How do I import contacts into Contact Groups? 1. [Visit the iluminr website for your region](https://help.catalysttech.co/en/articles/7033415-how-do-i-access-iluminr#h_ee61c392fc) and login. 2. In the vertical menu, click to expand **Libraries, **select **People **then **Groups ![](https://help.iluminr.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-12-2026-02-37-58-8933-AM.png?width=670&height=344&name=image-png-May-12-2026-02-37-58-8933-AM.png)** 3. Select the **Group** that you want to import the contacts in to. ![](https://help.iluminr.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-12-2026-02-49-26-1436-AM.png?width=670&height=331&name=image-png-May-12-2026-02-49-26-1436-AM.png) 4. Select the ellipsis **...** button and choose **Import ![](https://help.iluminr.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-12-2026-02-44-58-3752-AM.png?width=670&height=333&name=image-png-May-12-2026-02-44-58-3752-AM.png)** 5. Select the **Import Template** button, to download the import template. Always download the template before import, even if you have downloaded it before. ![](https://help.iluminr.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-12-2026-02-46-27-5009-AM.png?width=670&height=337&name=image-png-May-12-2026-02-46-27-5009-AM.png) 6. Open the import file you have just downloaded. 7. [Click here to read the guidelines](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/how-do-i-import-contacts-into-contact-groups#import-prepareforimport) **before** inputting your data. 8. Input the data into the import template in line with the [guidelines](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/how-do-i-import-contacts-into-contact-groups#import-prepareforimport). 9. Once your import file is ready for import, **save it locally to your device **and close the file. 10. In the iluminr import contacts slider, select '**Upload'** and choose the file to imported. ![](https://help.iluminr.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-12-2026-03-50-25-2130-AM.png?width=670&height=332&name=image-png-May-12-2026-03-50-25-2130-AM.png) 11. Check you have selecterd the correct file by reviewing the file name next to the upload button, then click **Import.** ![](https://help.iluminr.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-12-2026-03-54-28-8293-AM.png?width=1902&height=1362&name=image-png-May-12-2026-03-54-28-8293-AM.png) 12. If the import is successful, a confirmation screen will appear on the bottom right, advising you can view the status of the import from the **Notifications** Centre 13. Select the **Notifications** Centre and a list of all import attempts will appear. Referencing the ***file names, number of successfully processed or errored records*** (contacts). ![](https://help.iluminr.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-12-2026-03-55-33-6865-AM.png?width=1917&height=1381&name=image-png-May-12-2026-03-55-33-6865-AM.png) 14. If there are any errors you can download the ***error data*** to see what needs to be updated to complete your import. ![](https://help.iluminr.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-May-12-2026-03-57-28-2821-AM.png?width=1916&height=1363&name=image-png-May-12-2026-03-57-28-2821-AM.png) --- ### Preparing Your Contacts for Bulk Upload ### **Accepted Import File Types** The contact group import **requires XLSX** / **XLS** file types. Always download the template before import, even if you have downloaded it before. ### **Mobile Number - Cell Format** Ensure the **mobile number** field (column D) format is set to **Text** by: 1. Highlight the MobilePhone column by clicking on the column header. 2. Right-click on the column and select "**Format Cells**" from the drop-down menu. 3. In the Format Cells dialog box, select the "**Text**" option under the "Number" tab. 4. Click "**OK**" to apply the text format to the MobilePhone column. This ensures the MobilePhone column will be formatted as text, which will **prevent** Excel from **automatically removing any leading zeros or changing the phone numbers to a different format.** [![](https://help.iluminr.io/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/downloads.intercomcdn.comio709207576b45cb4fb2c696ec52cfa52a2image.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/709207576/b45cb4fb2c696ec52cfa52a2/image.png) ### **Mobile Number - Country Code** Enter the complete International Direct Dial Number with the **+(country code)** prefix, **without any spaces** in between the digits. Here are some example formats to help you: - **Australia**: +61xxxxxxxxx (replace the X's with the 9-digit phone number) - **Italy**: +39xxxxxxxxxx (replace the X's with the 10-digit phone number) - **New Zealand**: +64xxxxxxxxx (replace the X's with the 9-digit phone number) - **United Kingdom**: +44xxxxxxxxxx (replace the X's with the 10-digit phone number) - **United States**: +1xxxxxxxxxx (replace the X's with the 10-digit phone number) Remember to adjust the X's according to the location's phone number digits. ### Preventing Duplicate Entries: Matching Emails iluminr uses the email field to identify whether a contact is a new addition or already exists in the system. To avoid creating duplicate entries, iluminr only matches the email in the import file with the pre-existing email in its database. An existing record **will only be updated if the email in the import file EXACTLY matches** the email already present in iluminr. ### **Required Fields** All the fields for **columns A to D are mandatory** and must include valid content. These fields are: - First Name - Last Name - Email - PrimaryPhone (see [cell format](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/how-do-i-import-contacts-into-contact-groups#import-cellformat) and [country code](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/how-do-i-import-contacts-into-contact-groups#import-numberformat)) [![](https://help.iluminr.io/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/downloads.intercomcdn.comio70920615411300977e77e0452593d3e17image.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/709206154/11300977e77e0452593d3e17/image.png) --- ### Related Articles: - [How do I create a new message and notify contacts?](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/how-do-i-create-a-new-message-and-notify-contacts?hsLang=en) - [4. People Management - Contact Groups](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/people-management-contact-groups?hsLang=en) - [Automating Contact updates in iluminr with API Integration](https://help.iluminr.io/knowledge/how-can-i-automate-the-updating-of-contact-details-in-iluminr?hsLang=en) - [3. 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