How to import contacts from CSV on Pipedrive

beginner 8 min read Updated 2026-03-18

Quick Answer

To import contacts from CSV in Pipedrive, navigate to the Contacts section, click Import, upload your CSV file, map the columns to Pipedrive fields, and complete the import process. The system will validate your data and add the contacts to your database.

Try Pipedrive Full Pipedrive Review

Prerequisites

Active Pipedrive account
CSV file with contact data prepared
Administrator or import permissions in Pipedrive
CSV file formatted with proper column headers

Step-by-Step Instructions

Navigate to the Import section

Log into your Pipedrive account and click on Contacts in the main navigation menu. Once in the contacts section, look for the Import button in the top-right corner of the screen and click it.

Make sure you have the necessary permissions to import data before starting the process.

Select import source

On the import page, choose Import from file option. Then click Choose file and select your prepared CSV file from your computer. Pipedrive accepts CSV files up to 50MB in size.

Ensure your CSV file uses UTF-8 encoding to avoid character display issues.

Configure file settings

Set the appropriate File delimiter (usually comma or semicolon) and Text qualifier (typically double quotes). Check the First row contains field names checkbox if your CSV has headers. Preview your data to ensure it displays correctly.

If the preview looks wrong, adjust the delimiter settings until the data appears properly formatted.

Map CSV columns to Pipedrive fields

In the field mapping section, match each column from your CSV to the corresponding Pipedrive field. Use the dropdown menus to select Name, Email, Phone, and other relevant fields. Create custom fields if needed by clicking Add custom field.

Name and Email are typically the most important fields to map correctly for effective contact management.

Set duplicate handling preferences

Choose how to handle duplicate contacts by selecting Skip duplicates, Update existing, or Create anyway. Pipedrive identifies duplicates based on email addresses and names. Review the duplicate detection settings to match your preferences.

Select 'Update existing' if you want to refresh contact information with newer data from your CSV.

Review and validate import

Click Validate import to check for errors in your data. Pipedrive will show any validation issues, missing required fields, or formatting problems. Address any errors highlighted in red before proceeding.

Take time to review the validation results carefully as fixing errors now saves time later.

Complete the import process

Once validation passes, click Start import to begin the process. Pipedrive will display a progress bar showing the import status. Large files may take several minutes to complete, and you'll receive an email notification when finished.

Don't close the browser window during import, though you can navigate to other parts of Pipedrive while it processes.

Verify imported contacts

After import completion, go to your Contacts list to verify the imported data. Use filters to view recently added contacts and check that all information imported correctly. Review any contacts that may have import warnings or errors.

Create a custom filter for contacts added today to easily review your newly imported data.

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

CSV file upload fails or shows formatting errors

Ensure your CSV uses UTF-8 encoding and check that special characters are properly formatted. Try saving your file with different delimiter settings (comma vs semicolon) and verify the file size is under 50MB.

Contact names or emails appear incorrectly after import

Check the field mapping in step 4 and ensure Name and Email columns are mapped to the correct Pipedrive fields. Re-import with correct mapping if necessary.

Many contacts marked as duplicates when they shouldn't be

Review your duplicate handling settings and check if email addresses or names have slight variations (extra spaces, different formatting). Clean your CSV data before re-importing.

Custom fields not saving data during import

Verify that custom fields are created with the correct data type (text, number, date) and that your CSV data matches the expected format. Check field permissions and character limits for custom fields.

Prices mentioned in this guide are pulled from current plan data and may change. Always verify on the official Pipedrive website before purchasing.

Visit Pipedrive View Pipedrive Pricing