How can I import a list to Rejoiner?

You can add contacts to a list via by clicking on the Update List button at the top right corner of your list. This option will show you several methods.

One of them, which is importing a CSV file. We go over this method in further detail below.

CSV Import to Rejoiner Lists

The most common method to update Rejoiner Lists is via CSV imports.

A CSV is a type of file in which each piece of data is separated by a comma. This is a popular method for transferring data from one application to another since most database systems are able to import and export comma-delimited data.

Data pulled from a database and represented in comma-delimited format looks something like the following.

email	first_name
ted@example.com	Ted
mary@example.com	Mary
joe@example.com	Joe

As you can see, each column value has a header (email, first_name). Also, each row starts a new line.

In your CSV file, the data from the table above will be separated by a comma from the next column's value.

The image above shows you a valid CSV file ready to be imported to a Rejoiner list.

Sample CSV file

If you need to see an example of a valid CSV file, you can click here to download one.

For best results, open and edit the file in a program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.

Creating valid CSV files

Creating a CSV file is pretty easy. However, each application and operating-system generates CSV files differently.

Creating a CSV file from scratch

Follow the steps below to create a CSV from scratch.

1In a spreadsheet program like Excel or Google Sheets, open a blank worksheet.

2Create and label a column for your contacts' email address. This is the only field value we require in order to process a List update.

3Next to your email column, create a column and a label to include you contacts' first_name. You can skip this column if you do not want to add that data or have that data.

4Next, create and label any additional columns. For example: source

5Add your contacts' information in the appropiate columns. Starting from the second row, below your column labels.

6Save and export your file as a CSV. If you save the file as another type, we won't be able to process it.

Preparing a CSV from a platform

If you're not creating a CSV file from scratch, then we recommend you take a look at the helpful tips from the following platforms.

• Excel
• Google Sheets

Preparing a CSV from another ESP

If you're not starting a CSV from scratch, or manually creating it from existing data, you're likely looking into an ESP export.

• Mailchimp
• Klaviyo
• Constant Contact
• Bronto
• AWeber

Checking CSV file

Below is a list of ways to check that your CSV file will render as valid when importing it to Rejoiner:

1Separate data fields with a delimiter, this should be a comma. This should be a single character.

2Keep each record on a separate line. Each record must start on its own line.

3Do not follow the last record in a file with a carriage return.

4In the first line of the file, include a header with a list of the column names in the file. This is required as it allows the file to be self-documenting.

5Make sure the header list is delimited in the same way as the rest of the file. This helps guard against the data fields being transposed in the data when it is loaded.

Common CSV errors

Excel is commonly used to view CSV files, but it often imposes formatting that skews data and results in importing errors. Below you'll see examples of common errors and how to solve these.

Trailing Commas

Saving an Excel file as a CSV file can create extra commas at the end of each row. These are often called trailing commas. Trailing commas can result when columns are deleted or column headers removed.

This tends to happen when you export data from another application. Then the application gives us more data columns than what you'd like to import to Rejoiner.

To identify this issue, we recommend opening the file in a text editor (like Notepad for PC, or TextEdit for Mac).

You’ll see trailing commas at the end of each row, like this:

Steps to resolve the issue:

1Open a new, blank spreadsheet in Excel.

2Type in only the column headers for the data you will include in your upload (e.g., email and first_name).

3Save the file as MS-DOS Comma Separated with a new name (e.g., subscribers-2.csv).

4Open the old file (with the extra commas) and copy the rows below the column headers.

5Paste the rows into the new file under your typed column headers.

6Save your new file as MS-DOS Comma Separated again.

7Once you’ve saved the data into the new file, you can close it and rename it to something like subscribers.csv.

8Upload your new file to Rejoiner.

After you've corrected the trailing commas, your file will look like so:

Extra commas in field values

If your CSV file has no trailing commas, it is likely that some value in your data is throwing things off.

An example of this is when a field value includes a comma.

first_name	last_name
John, Sr	Thompson

Steps to resolve the issue:

As you can see in the table above, the input field value of John, Sr already includes a comma. This will treat the comma as a field separator unless the entire field value is enclosed in double quotation marks.

first_name	last_name
"John, Sr"	Thompson

Getting help

If after following the tips above, you are still having problems, please contact us for help or use this helpful tool to troubleshoot issues on your own.