Why it matters
Imports are the fastest way to create a fixed audience in Whippy. A clean import gives teams usable contact records, accurate opt-in status, and a reliable static list for follow-up campaigns or workflows.
Key Concepts
Import CSV: The Contacts action used to upload or paste contact data into Whippy.
Static list: The fixed list created during the import so the uploaded contacts can be found again later.
Opt in to channels: The import setting used when imported contacts should be opted in for selected messaging channels.
Field mapping: The step where file columns are matched to contact fields such as name, phone, email, external ID, tags, or other available fields.
Supported files: The importer supports common tabular formats including csv, tsv, txt, xls, xlsx, and xml.
Step-by-Step: Import contacts
Open Contacts from the main sidebar.
Select All contacts.
Select Add, then Import CSV.
Enter a name for the new static list.
Use Opt in to channels if the imported contacts should be opted in for selected channels.
Upload a supported file or paste contact data from the clipboard.
Follow the importer prompts to map columns to contact fields.
Review the import and confirm when the mapping looks correct.
Open Lists > Static lists to review the imported list.
Tips and Best Practices
Clean the file before importing so phone numbers, emails, and external IDs are in consistent columns.
Use a descriptive static list name that includes the audience and date.
Only opt contacts in when your team has the right consent to message them through the selected channels.
Run a small test import when the file has many custom fields or unusual formatting.
Troubleshooting
Issue | Possible Cause | Fix |
The file does not upload | The file type, size, or formatting is not accepted by the importer | Export the data as csv or xlsx, remove unsupported formatting, and try again |
Columns are mapped incorrectly | Column names are unclear or the file has merged headers | Rename the source columns clearly, remove extra header rows, and repeat the import |
Imported contacts cannot receive messages | Contacts were not opted in, are missing destinations, or contain invalid phone or email values | Review the import file, communication preferences, and selected opt-in channels |