Upload contacts from a CSV file
Any tool that can export a spreadsheet can move its contacts into Ody: export a CSV, upload it in Settings → Integrations, and your list appears in minutes.
Before you start
Your file needs a header row. Ody recognizes these columns (loosely — capitalization, spaces, and underscores don't matter):
| Column | Examples that work |
|---|---|
| First name | first_name, First Name, given name |
| Last name | last_name, Surname |
| Full name | name — split into first + last automatically |
| Company | company, Organization, business |
| Phone | phone, Phone Number, mobile — best in +15551234567 format |
email, E-Mail Address |
|
| Notes | notes |
| Tags | tags, labels — separate multiple with ; or , |
Unrecognized columns are simply ignored, so you can upload your CRM's export as-is.
Step-by-step
Click Settings in the sidebar, then Integrations.
On the CSV import card, click Upload CSV and pick your file.
Ody imports the rows and shows a summary: how many contacts were created, updated, and skipped.
Open the Contacts screen to see your list.
How rows are handled
- Rows are matched to existing contacts by phone number first, then email — matches are updated (details filled in, notes and tags merged), not duplicated.
- Contacts Ody auto-created from earlier calls get adopted and filled in with their real names.
- A row needs at least a name, company, phone, or email to import; unusable rows are skipped and reported.
- Files are capped at 5,000 rows — larger files import the first 5,000 and tell you.
Troubleshooting
- "No recognized columns" — your header row doesn't include any of the names above. Rename the columns in your spreadsheet and re-export.
- Phone numbers look wrong — export in international format (
+1…) if your tool allows it; formatting characters like spaces and dashes are fine and get cleaned up.
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Frequently asked questions
What columns does the CSV need?
A header row with any of: first_name, last_name (or a single name column), company, phone, email, notes, tags. Column names are matched loosely — 'Phone Number' and 'E-Mail Address' work fine.
How many contacts can I upload at once?
Up to 5,000 rows per file. For bigger lists, split the file and upload in batches.
Will uploading twice create duplicates?
No — rows are matched to existing contacts by phone, then email, and update them instead of duplicating.