Bulk Import Companies via CSV

CRM Management

Bulk Import Companies via CSV

Import and update company records at scale using a guided CSV upload workflow with field mapping, duplicate detection, and detailed tracking.What You'll Learn

This article explains how to use the Bulk Import feature to create and update company records in your CRM using CSV files. You'll learn how to enable the feature, configure field mappings, handle duplicates, and monitor import progress.

Whether you're migrating data from another system or performing regular updates, this guided workflow streamlines the process and provides detailed import statistics.

Labs Feature

This feature is currently available through Open Doors Labs. To access it, navigate to your account settings, select Labs, and enable "Company and Custom Object Import."

Table of Contents1What is Bulk Import for Companies?2Key Benefits3Enabling Company Import in Labs4How to Import Companies5Import Workflow Steps6Tracking Import Progress7Best Practices for CSV Import8Frequently Asked Questions1

What is Bulk Import for Companies?

Bulk Import for Companies is a CSV-based import tool that enables you to create and update company records in your CRM at scale. The feature uses a guided, four-step workflow to help you upload data, map fields, handle duplicates, and verify information before finalizing the import.

This tool is designed for scenarios where you need to migrate company data from another system, perform regular updates to existing records, or add multiple companies without manual entry. The workflow includes smart field mapping with data preview, duplicate detection based on Company ID, and detailed import statistics.

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Key Benefits

The Bulk Import feature delivers several advantages for managing company data in your CRM:

Streamlined Data Migration, Move company records from external systems into Open Doors without manual re-entry, reducing setup time during onboarding.Duplicate Control, Automatically detect existing company records based on Company ID to prevent duplicate entries and maintain data integrity.Field-Level Protection, Use the "Don't update to empty value" option to preserve existing data when your CSV contains blank fields.Import Verification, Review all mapped data before starting the import to catch mapping errors and validate information.Detailed Statistics, Access success, error, and warning counts for every import, plus download a full report for auditing purposes.Operational Efficiency, Eliminate repetitive data entry tasks and reduce the time required to maintain company records.3

Enabling Company Import in Labs

Before you can use the Bulk Import feature, you must enable it through the Labs section of your account. Labs features are experimental capabilities that may be in active development.

Step 1Navigate to Labs Settings

Open your account settings and select the Labs section from the navigation menu.

Step 2Enable the Import Feature

Locate the toggle for Company and Custom Object Import and turn it on. The feature will be immediately available in your CRM.

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How to Import Companies

Once the feature is enabled, you can access the import workflow directly from the Companies section of your CRM. The following steps outline the process from start to completion.

Step 1Access the Import Tool

Navigate to Companies in your CRM and click the Import button in the top navigation bar.

Step 2Select Import Type

On the object selection screen, choose Companies to begin the import workflow.

Step 3Upload Your CSV File

Click Upload CSV and select your prepared file from your computer. The system will validate the file format and display a preview.

Step 4Choose Import Behavior

Select whether to Create companies, Update companies, or Create & update companies based on your needs.

Step 5Configure Duplicate Detection

Select Company ID as the duplicate detection criteria to prevent creating duplicate records during the import.

Step 6Map CSV Columns to Fields

Match each column in your CSV to the corresponding company field in Open Doors. The system displays preview data to help confirm correct mapping.

Step 7Review and Verify

On the verification screen, review all mapped data and settings. Enable Don't update to empty value if you want to preserve existing field data when the CSV contains blank values.

Step 8Start the Import

Click Start Bulk Import to begin processing. The system will display progress updates and redirect you to the Bulk Actions page when complete.

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Import Workflow Steps

The import process follows a four-step guided workflow designed to minimize errors and ensure data accuracy. Each step builds on the previous one to deliver a complete import experience.

Step 1Start

Select the object type (Companies) and define import behavior. You can choose to create only, update only, or perform both actions during the import.

Step 2Upload

Upload your CSV file and configure duplicate detection rules. The system validates the file format and checks for basic structural issues before proceeding.

Step 3Map

Match CSV columns to company fields using the smart mapping interface. The system displays preview data from your CSV to help verify correct field assignments.

Step 4Verify

Review all settings, field mappings, and sample data before starting the import. This final step allows you to catch any mapping errors and adjust protection settings for existing data.

Tip

Always review the verification screen carefully before starting the import. Field mapping errors are easier to correct before processing begins.

Pro TipProtect Your DataEnable "Don't update to empty value" during the verification step to prevent accidentally overwriting existing company data with blank fields from your CSV.6

Tracking Import Progress

After starting an import, you can monitor its progress and review detailed statistics through the Bulk Actions, Companies page. This dedicated tracking interface provides real-time updates and historical records of all imports.

To access your import history, navigate to Companies and select Bulk Actions, Companies from the menu. This page displays:

Import Status, Real-time progress indicator showing whether the import is processing, completed, or encountered errors.Success Count, Total number of company records successfully created or updated during the import.Error Count, Number of records that failed to import due to validation issues or system errors.Warning Count, Records that imported with minor issues or required automatic corrections.Downloadable Report, Complete import log showing which records succeeded, failed, or generated warnings, with specific error details.Best Practice

Always download the import report after completion. The detailed error log helps you identify and correct data issues before attempting another import.

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Best Practices for CSV Import

Following these guidelines will help you achieve clean, accurate imports with minimal errors or data loss.

Practice 1Validate CSV Format

Ensure your CSV uses standard formatting with properly quoted fields and consistent delimiters. Remove any special characters or formatting that might cause parsing errors.

Practice 2Review Field Mappings

Always double-check your field mappings during the Map step. Use the preview data to confirm each CSV column is matched to the correct company field.

Practice 3Enable Empty Value Protection

When updating existing companies, turn on "Don't update to empty value" to prevent accidental data wipes. This setting preserves existing field values when your CSV contains blank cells.

Practice 4Use Company ID for Duplicates

Select Company ID as your duplicate detection field to ensure existing records are updated rather than duplicated during imports.

Practice 5Download Import Reports

After each import, download the detailed report from Bulk Actions, Companies. Review errors and warnings to identify data quality issues before your next import.

Practice 6Test with Small Batches

For large imports, test the workflow with a small subset of data first. Verify field mappings and settings work correctly before processing the full dataset.

Note

The import process cannot be reversed once started. Always verify your data and settings carefully during the Review step before clicking Start Bulk Import.

Need Help?

If you encounter issues during the import process or have questions about field mappings, consult these resources:

• Review the import report after completion to identify specific error messages and affected records.
• Navigate to Companies → Bulk Actions, Companies to access historical import logs and statistics.
• Check the verification screen before starting an import to confirm field mappings match your CSV structure.
• Contact Open Doors support if you need assistance interpreting error codes or resolving import failures.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I roll back an import if I make a mistake?No, bulk imports cannot be reversed once they complete. Always review your data carefully during the verification step before starting the import. Consider testing with a small batch first to validate your settings.Q: What happens if my CSV contains duplicate Company IDs?When you select Company ID as the duplicate detection field, the system will update the existing company record rather than create a duplicate. The last matching row in your CSV will be used for the update.Q: How do I find the Company ID for existing records?Export your existing companies from the Companies dashboard to obtain a CSV containing all company IDs. You can then reference these IDs when preparing update imports.Q: Is there a limit to how many companies I can import at once?While there is no strict limit mentioned in the feature documentation, very large imports may take longer to process. For datasets with thousands of records, consider breaking the import into smaller batches to monitor progress more effectively.Q: What does "Don't update to empty value" do?This setting prevents the import from overwriting existing field data when your CSV contains blank cells. If a field in your CSV is empty but the company record already has a value, the existing value is preserved. This is especially useful when updating partial company information.Q: Where can I download the import report?Navigate to Companies → Bulk Actions, Companies to access your import history. Each completed import includes a downloadable report showing success, error, and warning details for every record.Q: Can I import custom fields for companies?Yes, the field mapping step allows you to map CSV columns to any custom fields you have configured for companies. Make sure your custom fields exist in Open Doors before starting the import.Q: What should I do if some records fail to import?Download the import report from Bulk Actions, Companies to view detailed error messages for failed records. Common issues include missing required fields, invalid data formats, or duplicate detection conflicts. Correct the errors in your CSV and import the failed records again.