Muster's data import feature is a flexible way of importing data from various systems into your contacts list. With a few key requirements checked off you can import contacts with their addresses, phone number, emails, and custom fields (whether already set up or not!).
Get a file with contacts data
Find your contacts list
Click the import button
Upload the file
Use the header matching wizard
Review
Import!
Start with your data file
To begin, you'll need either a CSV (comma-separated values) or Excel file with the contacts you want to import. If you are using an Excel workbook file note that you will be importing from only one worksheet that you can select at the time of import.
Data structure and formatting
The file or worksheet should have a header row and only the data you want to upload.
Ensure your file has headers in the first row. This should be a single row. If you have any merged cells you should simplify the data.
Avoid including empty rows or other "annotation" data.
Fields you can include
You can import any of the descriptive fields displayed on a contact card. This includes name and prefix, locations (i.e. addresses), phone number, email addresses, and custom fields.
prefix
first name
last name
street address
street address 2
city
state
Zip code
email
phone number
custom fields (see below)
You do not need to add specific names to your column, as you will have an opportunity to match column names in the import process itself!
Importing to a list
When you import your contacts, you'll need to pick or create a new static list. This helps you track the provenance of your contacts.
Pick or create a list
If you're just starting with your account, click "Add List" which is located in the box on the top left side of your screen in the “Lists” section. From there select "List" (not "Filtered List")
Once you've identified the list you want to import to, just click the "Import" button.
The file import modal window will open, prompting you to upload your file (which you can just drag into the window) and verify that your headers are in the first row. Then you can match the columns.
Matching your fields
This is the most important step. It will allow you to match columns in the file to Muster contact fields (e.g. last name, email), to match columns to existing custom fields you have created, or to create new custom fields from the data in the import file.
Just look for fields with the verified blue dot next to their name to ensure those are the Muster fields. If you add a custom field named "Address" or "Email", for example, that data will get added to a custom field. This will make it searchable but not usable for purposes such as geo-locating!
In this step you'll have the ability to match to an existing field (Muster or custom), create a new custom field, or ignore a column altogether.
Did you know you can import multiple choice fields? You can! The data in the field (or cell) itself must be comma or semi-colon separated, and you must have created and configured the custom field before running the import. Any new custom fields created at the time of contact import are added as simple text fields, regardless of the content.
Review and go!
Reviewing your import is the single most important step in the process.
The import wizard will make some attempts to match fields automatically for you at the start of the matching process and you should verify that it's defaults are what you actually want! It may match a custom field, for example, with a name that looks right when it is in fact an official Muster field where the data belongs.
Make sure you've included all the fields you need, matched to Muster fields where possible, and that the data itself looks good in the preview.
Key takeaways
You can import from CSV or an Excel file
You can import your data without needing to rewrite the headers in your CSV or Excel file
Look for the verified blue field names to ensure data goes into the right Muster fields
Anything else can go into a custom field, even if the custom field doesn't exist yet!