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Getting started: Import your data

Import your existing companies, contacts, and deals into Clarify to start working with your data.

Written by Michael Simmons
Updated this week

Import your existing contacts, companies, and deals from a CSV file so you can start working with your data in Clarify right away. This is the fastest way to migrate from another CRM or bring in a list of prospects, accounts, or open deals.


Prepare your files

Create separate CSV files for each record type:

  • companies.csv

  • people.csv

  • deals.csv

Each file needs column headers in the first row and must be under 30MB.

Import order matters:

  1. Import companies first

  2. Import people second — they'll auto-link to companies via email domain

  3. Import deals last — they can reference both companies and people


Import process

Step 1: Upload your file

Navigate to Companies, People, or Deals. Click the three dots in the top right corner and select Import CSV.

Upload your CSV file and confirm the basic info looks correct.

Step 2: Map your columns

Clarify automatically maps columns to existing fields when possible. Manually map any columns that weren't matched automatically.

If this is your first import:

  • Leave unmapped columns unselected to skip them

  • Create new fields during import if needed (all field types supported)

If you're adding to existing data:

  • Check Unique next to one or more fields (like Name or Email) to update existing records instead of creating duplicates

  • Example: check Unique next to Email for people, or Name for companies

Step 3: Review and fix validation errors

Review your data. The validation screen shows two sections:

  • Needs review — data with issues that need fixing

  • Automatically mapped — data ready to import (still editable if needed)

Invalid values will prevent those rows from importing. Fix errors by editing values or choose to skip them.

Create new options for select fields directly during this step.

Step 4: Complete the import

Click Import data to start. Progress shows in the sidebar.

When complete, you'll see a summary showing:

  • Successfully imported records

  • Failed rows (download CSV to fix and re-import)

All imported records get an import label and appear in a new auto-generated list.


What happens during import

Automatic company-person linking:

  • People automatically link to companies based on email domain ([email protected] → acme.com)

  • If no company exists, Clarify creates one automatically

Updating existing records:

  • When unique-field matching finds an existing record, only non-empty fields from your import are updated

  • Example: importing a deal called "Microsoft" with only an amount field updates just the amount — other fields stay unchanged

  • If no match is found, a new record is created

Background processing:

  • Large imports run in the background

  • Close your browser if you need to — progress shows in the sidebar when you return


Troubleshooting

Rows failed to import:

  • Download the failed rows CSV from the summary page

  • Fix the errors listed

  • Re-import the corrected file

Duplicate records created:

  • Use the Unique checkbox during field mapping to update existing records instead of creating new ones

  • Already have duplicates? See Merging records in Clarify

Find past imports:

  • View import history in Settings


Where to go next

Understanding your data in Clarify — How records, fields, lists, and enrichment work once your data is in.

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