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How do I import my existing donors from a spreadsheet?

In short: On the Donors page open the uploader, download the donor import template, fill in your rows, choose your file and click Upload, check the preview and column mapping, then click Import. Your plan's donor limit must have room for the new donors.

Steps

  1. Open the Donors page and open the Import Donors uploader (the upload button).
  2. Click "Use this Excel import template." to download activedonor-donor-import-template.xlsx.
  3. Fill in your donor rows in the template. Keep the first sheet named donor-importer — if it's renamed, your rows won't be read.
  4. Under CSV File:, choose your file and click Upload. Supported formats are CSV, TXT, XLSX and XLS.
  5. Review the preview and confirm which spreadsheet column maps to each donor field.
  6. Click Import to create the donors.

The importer can bring in names, phone numbers, emails, addresses, tax/ID details, a contact person and tags (columns cat_1 to cat_12) all at once.

⚠️ Important: Importing only creates new donor records — it doesn't update donors you already have, and it doesn't import receipts.

Common issues

What you see Cause Fix
"Error on file upload. Ensure ActiveDonor template is used" The sheet isn't named donor-importer, or the file is empty. Use the supplied template and keep the first sheet named donor-importer.
Upload blocked / upgrade message The file would exceed your plan's donor limit. Reduce the rows or upgrade your plan.
"Cellphone must have a minimum of 10 digits" A phone number is too short. Correct it to at least 10 digits (or clear it) and re-upload.
  • Uploading donors via CSV