Help Center

Update Contacts Using CSV

LeadCenter allows you to update existing contacts in bulk by uploading a CSV file that includes Contact IDs. This feature makes it easy to apply changes across multiple contacts at once—without manually editing individual records or risking data loss.

What This Feature Allows You to Do

• Update existing contacts in bulk: Apply changes to multiple contacts at the same time.
• Contact ID–based matching: Each row in your CSV is matched to an existing contact using Contact ID.
• Non-destructive updates: Only fields with values in your CSV are updated; existing data is never cleared.
• Wide field support: Update contact details, tags, custom fields, Financial Advisor fields, and marketing preferences.

Where to Access CSV Contact Updates

You can start an update upload from multiple locations in LeadCenter:

• Open the Actions dropdown on the Contacts page or the Sales Pipeline page, then select Upload contacts.
• Or go directly to https://app.leadcenter.ai/dashboard/leads/csv-upload

In Step 1 of the upload flow, select “Update existing contacts”.

How Updating Contacts via CSV Works

1. Select Update existing contacts mode.
2. Download the sample CSV file for updating existing contacts.
3. Open the CSV file and confirm the Contact ID column appears as the first column.
4. Enter values only in the fields you want to update.
5. Save the file and upload it back into LeadCenter.
6. Map your CSV columns to LeadCenter fields (Contact ID is auto-mapped).
7. Review and submit the upload.

How Contact Matching Works

• Contact ID is required: Each row is matched to an existing contact using the Contact ID column.
• Exact matching: If a Contact ID does not exist, that row is skipped and logged as an error.
• No accidental overwrites: Only fields with values in your CSV are updated.

Example:
If a contact already has a last name saved and the Last Name column is left blank in your CSV, the existing last name remains unchanged.

What Gets Updated

You can update nearly all contact-related fields, including:

• Basic contact information (name, company, job title)
• Contact details (emails, phone numbers, addresses)
• Financial Advisor–specific fields (if applicable)
• Tags and custom fields
• Marketing preferences
• Personal profile and employment information

Important Notes

• Contact ID column is mandatory: It must be present as the first column in update mode.
• Partial updates are supported: You only need to include fields you want to change.
• Blank cells are ignored: Empty values will never overwrite existing data.
• Invalid Contact IDs: Rows with invalid IDs are skipped and reported in the upload results.
• Create vs. Update mode: Use Create new contacts if you want to add new records instead of updating existing ones.

Sample CSV Format

When downloading the sample CSV in update mode:

• The first column is always Contact ID.
• All other columns represent contact fields you can update.
• You must keep the Contact ID column intact when editing the file.

Tip: You can safely remove columns you don’t need—only include fields you intend to update.

Why Use CSV Updates?

• Safely update large contact lists without risking data loss
• Make targeted changes without re-importing full records
• Save time when managing tags, custom fields, or marketing preferences

Need Assistance?

If you have questions about updating contacts via CSV or encounter issues during upload, contact LeadCenter Support at support@leadcenter.ai.