Our import tool makes it easy to add your contacts to Brevo. You can upload a file, copy and paste, or manually enter your data before mapping it to the correct attributes. You can choose in which lists to import your contacts and easily blocklist or update them in just a few clicks.
Good to know
Brevo cleans duplicate contacts from your import automatically. Even if you include the same contact in different lists, duplicates are removed before sending your communications so your contacts won't receive the same message twice.
Before you start
- Ensure your contact list is legitimate and complies with our Terms of Use and best practices (Email, SMS, WhatsApp).
- Create your contact import file and ensure your data is clean and well-formatted.
Step 1: Upload your contacts
Upload your contacts to Brevo by uploading a file, copying and pasting, or manually entering your data:
- Go to Contacts.
- Click Import contacts.
- Make sure the Contacts card is selected and click Continue.
- Select an import option between Upload a file and Copy/Paste:
To directly upload a file containing all your contacts and their information to Brevo, use the Upload a file option. This is particularly useful when you have a large number of contacts to import.
- Select the Upload a file option.
- Select your contact import file or drag and drop it within the outlined area. You will see a preview of the contacts and attribute data to be imported.
- Ensure your contacts and their data are separated correctly.
- Click Confirm your file.
To quickly import your contacts and their information into Brevo, you can use the Copy/Paste option. Simply copy the contacts and their information from a file and paste them into Brevo. You can also type everything directly in the field. This method is particularly useful when you have a small number of contacts to import.
- Select the Copy/Paste option.
- Copy your data and paste it into the empty field. Ensure each contact's data is on its own line and that each item is separated by a comma or a tab like this:
- Click Check the data. You will see a preview of the contacts and attribute data to be imported.
- Ensure your contacts and their data are separated correctly.
- Click Confirm your data.
Step 2: Map your data
Map your data to the attributes in your Brevo account. For instance, if you uploaded the first name of your contacts, match this data to the FIRSTNAME attribute by selecting it in the dropdown. This allows us to upload your data to the right attribute each time. If needed, you can also create new attributes or ignore some data that you do not want to import to Brevo.
- Click the Contact attribute dropdown.
- Select the desired attribute.
If the attribute you want to match your data with doesn't exist, you can create it directly from this step.
- Click the Contact attribute dropdown.
- Under Contact attributes, click Add a new attribute.
- Enter the attribute name.
- Click Create.
- Optional: For category-type and multiple-choice attributes, create the set of possible values and click Save category items.
If you included some data that you do not want to import to Brevo, you can ignore it.
- Click the Contact attribute dropdown.
- Select Do not import.
Once you are done mapping your data, click Confirm mapping.
Step 3: Select a list
Choose the list(s) to which you want to add your contacts. You can select a single list or multiple lists, or you can create a new list. To learn more about lists, check our dedicated article Create lists and folders to organize your contacts.
- Go to the Select a list tab.
- Select the list(s) to which you want your contacts added.
- Once you are done, click Confirm your list.
- Go to the Create a list tab.
- Enter the list name.
- Select the folder in which the new list should appear or create a new folder.
- Click Create list.
- Once you are done, click Confirm your list.
Step 4: Finalize your import
Before confirming your import, you need to confirm several important settings regarding how your contacts will be imported and how they should be subscribed to your communications:
Contacts management
-
Update the attributes of the existing contacts
Enable this option to overwrite existing contacts in Brevo with the data from your file. Disabling this option will keep the contacts that have already been imported to Brevo unchanged. -
Import empty fields to erase existing attribute data
Enabling this option will result in empty fields in your import erasing any attributes that currently contain data. Disabling this option ensures that the empty fields will not affect your existing data. -
Blocklist the imported Email contacts
Enabling this option will blocklist your imported contacts from receiving your email campaigns. -
Blocklist the imported SMS contacts
Enabling this option will blocklist your imported contacts from receiving your SMS campaigns. -
Blocklist the imported WhatsApp contacts
Enabling this option will blocklist your imported contacts from receiving your WhatsApp campaigns.
💡 Good to knowWe recommend using the Blocklist the imported Email/SMS/WhatsApp contacts options to blocklist contacts who negatively impact your metrics by reporting you as spam, not opening your messages, and so on.
Opt-in agreement
You should use Brevo to send emails, SMS, or WhatsApp messages only to contacts who have explicitly consented to receive your communications. Review our guidelines to ensure you are only importing legitimate contacts, and then check the I confirm that my new import adheres to these conditions box.
Step 5: Confirm your import
After completing the import process, click Confirm your import to start importing your contacts to Brevo. You will then be redirected to the Contacts page.
Step 6: View your import report
Once your import is completed, a banner that summarizes the details of your import will be displayed and you will receive an email notification. To view your import report, click See import report in the banner or click the bell icon 🔔 at the top-right and click the link in your last notification.
From there, you will find:
- The import date and source.
- The number of imported contacts, including new contacts, updated contacts, and unchanged contacts.
- Optional: Error messages if you import a contact ID that does not exist or an email address in the wrong format. You can download the table with the error messages to easily correct your data before re-importing it.
- Optional: Information about the blocklisted contacts.
- Information about the list(s) the contacts were added to.
⏭️ What's next?
- Why can't I import my contacts?
- What should I do if my contacts were suspended?
- Create a subscription form
🤔 Have a question?
If you have a question, feel free to contact our support team by creating a ticket from your account. If you don't have an account yet, you can contact us here.
If you’re looking for help with a project using Brevo, we can match you with the right certified Brevo expert partner.