Contact Import Guide

IMPORTANT: The best place to find information about Data Imports in Fleetio is the New Data Import Overview article. This resource includes step-by-step instructions, training videos and guidance for how to prepare your import data file.

 

This guide provides an overview of the file requirements and supported values for importing Contacts.

NOTE: If you wish to create Users rather than just Contacts, please see the Add Multiple Users article.

 

Contact Import Template

We recommend using the Contacts Import Template to import your Contact data.

  1. Go to the + Quick Add menu and select Import Data.

  1. Click Browse Import Templates.

  1. Click Contacts in the left menu
  2. Click the Download dropdown and select Empty Template.

NOTE: If you are using a spreadsheet generated from another system, modifications to the file type and data may be needed to ensure proper format and data mapping.

Data Requirements

Be sure to note the Required section and columns in the charts below.

Columns marked Yes are always Required, whereas those marked No may be left as blank cells in the import file - the entire column can be skipped during the mapping process if it is omitted for all contacts.

IMPORTANT: Unlike with NEW data imports, you do NOT need to include required fields if you are updating data, as long as you include the fleetio_id.

  • During the mapping process, it is essential to map the fleetio_id column from the source file to the Id field in the Fleetio Field Mapping drop-down box. The Id field is what notifies Fleetio that the import is intended to "update" data, and not create NEW records.
  • If a Custom Field is designated as "Required", the Custom Field does not need to be mapped unless you are updating data for that Custom Field. If there is data in the Custom Field column, it must be mapped, or the import will fail.
  • Reference the Update Existing Data via Import File article for more details.

Columns & Values

Required Fields

The fields below are required for Contact imports unless otherwise noted.

Column Required? Notes
fleetio_id * See Below
This field is NOT required and should be left blank for all NEW contacts being added. This field is ONLY required when updating existing contacts in Fleetio.
first_name Yes First Name of contact

* fleetio_id is required only when updating existing contacts. It is NOT required when adding new contacts.

Other Fields

These fields are not required but are recommended when possible to ensure the accuracy of your data in Fleetio.

Column Required? Notes
id No This field should be left BLANK for all NEW contact records being added. It is only used when updating existing Contacts in Fleetio.
SEE: Update Existing Data via Import File
last_name No Last Name of contact
birth_date No This value is stored as a Date data type.
For consistency and accuracy, format your data as YYYY-MM-DD.
You may also use the Short Date Format from your Account Settings if you prefer.
employee_number No This value needs to be unique for each contact in Fleetio
job_title No  
start_date No This value is stored as a Date data type.
For consistency and accuracy, format your data as YYYY-MM-DD.
You may also use the Short Date Format from your Account Settings if you prefer.
leave_date No This value is stored as a Date data type.
For consistency and accuracy, format your data as YYYY-MM-DD.
You may also use the Short Date Format from your Account Settings if you prefer.
email No  
group No

Text can match an existing Groups and/or Subgroup. A new Group will be created if it does not already exist. Use the "pipe" character | to separate Groups and Subgroups. No spaces between elements are needed.

  • Example (group): Chicago
  • Example (subgroup): Chicago|Warehouse-01
vehicle_operator No

Should this contact have the Operator classification enabled?
This enables the contact to be assigned to vehicles

  • Yes = true
  • No = false (or leave blank)
employee No

Should this contact have the Employee classification enabled?

  • Yes = true
  • No = false (or leave blank)
technician No

Should this contact have the Technician classification enabled?
This enables the contact to be selected in labor line items on Work Orders

  • Yes = true
  • No = false (or leave blank)
license_number No  
license_state No  
license_class No  
street_address No  
street_address_line_2 No  
city No  
region No State/Province/Region
postal_code No  
country No Country Name or Code (see Country and Code Field Values)
mobile_phone_number No  
home_phone_number No  
work_phone_number No  
other_phone_number No  
Contacts Custom Fields No Custom Fields can be setup under Settings > Custom Fields. Any Custom Fields with the "Contacts" record type will also be available to import data into. Format requirement is explained in the Custom Fields Import Guide.

Contact Custom Fields

Custom Fields can be created for Contact records in your Account Settings. Any Custom Fields with the Contact record type will also be available for import.

TIP: Learn more in the Custom Fields article and the Custom Fields Import Guide.

Contact Import Process

For detailed step-by-step instructions for importing new Contact data, refer to the New Data Import Overview article.

Update Contact Data via Import

For detailed step-by-step instructions for updating existing Contact data, refer to the Update Existing Data via Import File article.