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List Management — How to Create a Contact List from a CSV File

Creating a contact list from a CSV file is a two-step process: first, upload the CSV file to the ContactMonkey Directory, then filter those recipients and save the filtered results as a named list. Both steps are required — the upload alone does not create a list.

Important: When you upload a CSV, any new column data applies only to new contacts that the CSV adds to your Directory. It does not update contacts that already exist from a non-CSV source, such as an Azure AD or other integration sync. A CSV can add only these three fields to a contact record that came from an integration, and only if the integration has not already mapped that field:

  • Phone Number
  • Preferred Language
  • Timezone

If you need to filter integration-synced contacts by a value that lives in your CSV, that value will not attach to those existing contacts. Contact your integration administrator to add the field at the integration source instead.

Prerequisites

Step 1: Upload Your CSV to the Directory

  1. In the ContactMonkey dashboard, go to Directory → Sources
  2. Under Upload a CSV, click Upload a file and select your CSV file from
  3. Click Import # Contacts

ContactMonkey will process the file and add the contacts to your Directory. You can now move on to Step 2 to turn those contacts into a usable list.

Note: If your CSV has errors (missing required columns, duplicate email addresses), the import will flag them. Click here for file formatting requirements.

Step 2: Filter Contacts and Save as a List

  1. Click Directory at the top of the ContactMonkey dashboard
  2. Click Filters, then select the column and value that identify your target group — for example, filter by Department = Marketing or by a custom column you added to the CSV
  3. Review the filtered results to confirm the right contacts appear
  4. Click Save Filters as List, give the list a clear name (ex: Tuesday Newsletter), and save

Your new list will now appear as an option when selecting recipients during the email sending flow.

Tip: Prepare Your CSV with a Custom Filter Column

If your CSV doesn't contain a column that uniquely identifies the group you want to list, add one before uploading.

Example: You want a list called Tuesday Newsletter.

  1. Open your CSV in Excel or Google Sheets
  2. Add a new column named Tuesday Newsletter
  3. Type True in that column for every row that belongs on the list
  4. Save the CSV and upload it using Step 1 above
  5. In Step 2, filter by Tuesday Newsletter = True and save the list

This approach works for any segment that doesn't map to an existing field, like Department or Location.

Troubleshooting

Problem: Contacts from my CSV aren't appearing in the Directory after import.
Solution: Confirm the import completed without errors by checking the Sources tab for any error notifications. Ensure the CSV includes a valid email address column — ContactMonkey always requires an email as a unique identifier. If the issue persists, verify that the file is in CSV format and that the "Email" column header is correctly labeled.

Problem: My saved list isn't appearing when I go to select recipients for a send.
Solution: Confirm you completed Step 2 and clicked Save Filters as a List. Uploading the CSV alone (Step 1) does not create a list — the filter-and-save step is required.

Problem: The filter options don't include my custom CSV column.
Solution: Wait a few minutes after import for the Directory to index new columns, then refresh the Contacts page. If the column still doesn't appear, verify the column header in your CSV contains no special characters or extra spaces.

See Also

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