Communications Course: How to Import Contacts in the Software

Moving your contacts into the Church Fuel software is the first step toward unlocking the full power of our communication tools. Whether you are coming from an old database or a simple spreadsheet, you can get your entire list uploaded in under five minutes.

Phase 1: Preparation

Before you start the import in Church Fuel, you need to have your data ready:

Export your data: Go to your current church management system or database and export your contacts as a CSV file.
Clean your list (Optional): Ensure your columns (Name, Email, Phone) are clearly labeled in the top row of your spreadsheet.

Phase 2: The Upload Process

Once you have your CSV file ready and you are logged into Church Fuel, follow these steps:

Navigate to Contacts: Click on Contacts in the left-hand sidebar.
Start Import: Click the Import button (top right). On the following screen, select Contacts and click Next.
Upload the File: Drag and drop your CSV file into the upload box or click to browse your computer and select it.

Select Import Type: * Choose "Create and Update Contacts." This is the safest option—it adds new people and updates information for anyone who might already be in your system.
- Click Next.

Phase 3: Mapping Your Data

This is where you tell the software which column in your spreadsheet matches the fields in Church Fuel.

Match the Fields: The software will try to automatically match columns like "First Name" to "First Name."
Handle Unmapped Columns: If you see a column labeled "Unmapped" (for example, if you have a "Campus" column that doesn't have a direct match), you can either find a matching field in the dropdown or check the box at the bottom: "Don't import data in unmapped columns."
Click Next.

Phase 4: Finalize and Confirm

On the final review screen, you have a few advanced options:

Tags: You can add a tag to this entire group (e.g., "Import March 2026") to find them easily later.
Consent (Required): You must check the box confirming that you have consent to communicate with these contacts. The "Start Bulk Import" button will remain grayed out until this box is checked.
Start Import: Click Start Bulk Import.

How to Verify

Once the import is complete, use the search bar in your Contacts tab to look up a name from your spreadsheet. If they appear in the list, you are officially ready to start communicating!