Bulk importing contacts
Last updated August 5, 2026
Objective
Bulk importing is the fastest way to add a large number of people to your system. By using a formatted CSV (Comma Separated Value) file, you can ensure all contact details are correctly mapped to their respective fields in Recur without manual entry for each individual.
Key Steps
Step 1: Access the Import Tool
From your Recur home screen, navigate to the Contacts tab in the sidebar.
Select People from the dropdown menu.
Click the Import button located in the top right-hand corner of the page.
Step 2: Download and Use the Official Template
To prevent formatting errors during the import process, you must use the Recur template:
Select Import New Contacts.
Click Download Import Template.
Mandatory Fields: For an import to be successful, each contact must have at least:
First Name
Last Name
Email Address OR Phone Number (Having both is ideal, but at least one is required).
Step 3: Prepare Your Spreadsheet
Open the downloaded template in Google Sheets, Excel, or another spreadsheet program.
Add Your Data: Copy and paste your contact information into the corresponding columns.
Additional Info: You can also fill out columns for addresses, LinkedIn profiles, or custom notes.
Cleanup: If you are not using certain columns (like "Middle Name"), you can delete those columns to keep your file clean.
Step 4: Export as CSV
Recur requires the file to be in a specific format to read the data correctly:
If using Google Sheets, go to File > Download > Comma Separated Values (.csv).
If using Excel, go to File > Save As and select CSV (Comma Delimited) from the format dropdown.
Step 5: Upload and Finalize
Return to the Import New Contacts screen in Recur.
Click Choose File and select your saved CSV.
Click Import to start the process.
Once complete, your new contacts will appear immediately in the People list.
Cautionary Notes
Column Headers: Do not rename the top row (headers) in the template. Recur uses these exact names to "map" the information to the right place.
CSV Format Only: Standard Excel files (.xlsx) will not work; always ensure you have saved the final file as a .csv.
Required Data: If a row is missing both an email and a phone number, that specific contact will fail to import.
Tips for Efficiency
Automation Ready: Bulk importing is the perfect time to ensure your list is clean. Remove any duplicate rows or obvious typos in the spreadsheet before uploading to keep your CRM accurate.
Support: If you have a massive list (thousands of contacts) and need help formatting, you can reach out to the Recur support team for a written guide or direct assistance.