Importing Data Overview
Bringing your data into Harness is done from Settings › Import & Export. You can import contacts, donations, or both together from a CSV file, and a guided wizard walks you through every step — including smart column-matching so you don't have to line everything up by hand.
This article covers the new CRM & Email experience (your left navigation shows CRM and Email). If your left nav shows Contacts and no Email item, this feature isn't part of your account.
Before You Import
Start from a template. Download the matching CSV template below so your columns line up cleanly.
Tidy your file — one row per contact (or per donation), with clear column headers.
Include consent if you have it. Email and text opt-in/opt-out are imported and honored, so bring that data along in your file.
Download an Import Template
Starting from our template keeps your columns lined up so the import goes smoothly. Download the template below that matches what you're importing, fill in your data under the column headers, and save it as a XLSX/CSV:
Contacts template — for importing people only.
Donations template — for importing gifts only.
Contacts + Donations template — for importing people and their gifts together (matched by email).
The Guided Import, Step by Step
The wizard moves through six quick stages:
Upload — choose your file.
Header — tell Harness which row holds your column headings.
AI column-mapping — Harness automatically matches your columns to the right Harness fields. Give it a quick review and adjust anything that didn't map.
Bulk fix — Harness flags any rows that need attention so you can correct them in bulk.
Review — preview exactly what's about to be imported.
Finish — run the import.
What You Can Import — and How Much
Contacts, donations, or both together (matched by email).
File sizes: single-file contact imports up to 5,000 rows; donation and combined contacts+donations imports up to 2,500 records. Split anything larger into separate files.
Re-importing is safe. Duplicate detection is built in, so if you fix your file and import again, Harness blocks duplicate loads rather than creating copies.
Good to Know
A few legacy fields (External/Unique ID, Date Created, Age, Country, Gender, DOB, PO Box) can be imported but may not display on the contact record yet.
To put imported contacts into a Segment, import them first, then add them from CRM › Segments.
FAQs
Q: If I import the same file twice, will I get duplicates?
A: No — duplicate detection blocks duplicate loads, so re-importing a corrected file is safe.
Q: How large a file can I import?
A: Up to 5,000 rows for a single-file contact import, and up to 2,500 records for donation or combined contacts+donations imports. Split larger files.
Q: Will opt-out status come across?
A: Yes — email/text opt-in and opt-out are imported and honored, so include that column in your file.
Q: Can I import contacts straight into a Segment?
A: Not yet — import your contacts first, then add them to the segment from CRM › Segments.
Still need help? Chat with us via the bubble in the bottom left corner of your screen or email us at [email protected].