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Import customer data via CSV
Import customer data via CSV

Add & edit customers in bulk using Customer Fields

Kyle Weiskopf avatar
Written by Kyle Weiskopf
Updated over 9 months ago

Already have a database of customers outside of Shopify or Customer Fields? No problem! 

This help article explores how to combine all your customer data into the Customer Fields app to improve organization and make your life easier. We’ve designed a simple & efficient way to import customers from a CSV file, so you can spend less time messing with spreadsheets and more time serving your customers.

Import guide

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use the app's import tool:

Step 1: Prepare the CSV file 

  • Examine the CSV file you will be importing, make sure to remove any anomalies and fix any mistakes and/or poorly formatted data. 

  • Make sure that the first row of each column represents a data column name (e.g. First name, Last name, Email, etc.). Please note that the app's CSV tool requires a unique identifier to be assigned to each customer, you can use either email address, phone number, or Shopify ID for updating existing customers.

    Pro-tip: You can download an example CSV file using the button below:

    Example CSV

    Note: CSV imports have a file size limit of 30mb. If your file exceeds this, you will need to split the CSV into multiple files and import them separately.

Step 2: Upload the CSV file and map the columns

  • To upload the CSV, go to the Customers page in the app admin. At the top of this page, you will see buttons for 'Import' and 'Export'. Click the 'Import' button to begin the process.

  • Select 'From a .csv', click 'Next', then upload the file from your computer and click the 'Upload' button to continue.  

  • After the file has been uploaded, you'll need to map the columns from the CSV to the relevant data columns you've set up in the app. The app will try to automatically map fields based on the column names, but you are welcome to adjust the mapping as needed.

  • Make sure to skip any columns from the CSV that you’d like to ignore, and double-check that every desired column from the file is matched to a data column in the app. 

  • Once you've finished mapping, click the 'Start import' button and the importing process will begin. Keep in mind that the amount of time needed for the import to complete is dependent on the number of customers & columns that are being processed.

Step 3: Sit back and relax 😎  

  • The app's import tool is designed to run in the background, so you are free to continue work in other areas of the app if needed.

  • Once the import is complete, a banner in page of the app will indicate that the import has finished and you will also receive an email with the results.

Updating existing customers

It's important to understand that existing customer records will be automatically updated if a customer already exists with the same unique identifier. This means that if you upload a CSV file that contains an email address that is already on file for an existing customer, then the data for that existing customer record will be updated. 

If you do not wish to overwrite a certain piece of data for existing customers, then make sure that you "skip" that particular column when mapping the CSV file.

❗The app's import tool cannot update the accepts_marketing field (also known as email_marketing_consent). These fields will be correctly set from the CSV data when creating new customers, but the fields will not be updated for existing customers.

Important notes

  • The app's CSV import tool does not work with group_list data columns (or their children).

  • If you exceed your store's quota limit for managed customers in your CSV file, you will not be able to upload the file for importing.

Have questions, or need help?

If you need help, feel free to drop us an email anytime at support+cf@heliumdev.com and we’ll be happy to assist.

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