You can add multiple contacts to your Google account at once by importing them via a comma separated value (CSV) file. You can create a CSV file from scratch, or export contacts from your favorite email program. Use the blank CSV file that Gmail provides to see which fields are accepted, then add your contacts to the file. Once done, visit Google Contacts and import the CSV file. Don't forget to double-check the imported contacts to ensure accuracy.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Creating a CSV File Template
Step 1. Export the CSV file from Gmail
This file will serve as a template. The fields in this file will be received when you import them into Gmail.
- If you can't export a blank CSV file, try adding a contact manually to create an export file.
- If you imported the CSV file from another email service, skip this step.
- If you want to create your own CSV file, the fields accepted by Google Contacts can be found at this link.
Step 2. Open the CSV file with a table or text processing program
The first line of the CSV file will display the various categories you can fill with data (such as First Name, Last Name, Email Address, etc.). The table processing program will separate the column in the form of cells, while the text processing program will display the contents of the first row with a comma as the separator.
You can use Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets as a table processor, or Notepad/TextEdit as a text processor
Step 3. Add contacts to the CSV file
Enter the information into the appropriate column or value in order. You can leave specific cells blank, or fill them with ", " to skip the column.
- For example, the First Name, Last Name, Telephone, Email fields in a CSV file can be filled with “John,,, [email protected]”.
- Make sure you don't delete columns or add unnecessary commas. Gmail will scan the entire column, and empty fields can cause problems with the import process.
Step 4. Click File > Save
Save the CSV file first before importing it into your Gmail account.
Method 2 of 2: Importing CSV File Via Web Browser
Step 1. Visit the Google Contacts page in your browser
Step 2. Sign in to your Google/Gmail account
Enter the username and password, then click Sign in. You will go to the Google Contacts page.
Step 3. Click the Import Contacts button in the left pane
The Import window will open.
If you're using the new version of Google Contacts, the button will be labeled Contacts. The new version of Google Contacts doesn't support importing contacts yet. You will be redirected to the old contact interface and repeat the above steps
Step 4. Click Choose File
Step 5. Select the CSV file you want to upload, then click Open
The file will be added to the Import window.
Step 6. Click Import, and wait a while until the import process is complete
When you're done, your imported contacts will appear on the Contacts page.
If you find contacts that aren't imported properly (for example, information on a particular contact goes into the wrong column), you may have deleted a field or forgot to add a comma to the CSV file. If you're importing a lot of contacts, it's quicker to repair the CSV file and redo the import process, instead of trying to repair individual contacts
Tips
- CSV files cannot be imported via mobile.
- CSV is probably one of the options your email service provider offers for exporting contacts. This export file will be automatically formatted and ready to be imported into your Gmail account.
