Updating existing Leads and Contacts

In addition to creating new Leads, you can use the Lead Importer to update existing Leads and Contacts. (Need a refresher on how to use the Importer? Check out the main article here.)

After uploading your spreadsheet and assigning each of your spreadsheet columns to a field in Close, you'll be able to customize your update on the Importer's Options page:

Using the Options page to customize your update

Close field to compare

You'll need to choose a comparison field. Make sure to pick a field that has a unique value for each of your Leads (e.g. Company Name, Lead ID, or a Custom Field containing your internal system’s customer ID).

When the Importer runs, it will use the comparison field to determine whether each Lead from your spreadsheet exists in Close.

If a match is found

You'll also need to decide how you'd like the Importer to handle matching Leads. There are three options. The "Skip the Lead" option is great for when you're trying to create new Leads only, but not useful for updates. The other two options are designed for updates:

Only add missing information - the importer will only add the missing information from spreadsheet to the existing Lead or Contact.
Replace Lead information in Close - the importer will use the spreadsheet data to overwrite Lead data in Close. Existing field values will be replaced with the spreadsheet data assigned to the same field

If a Lead doesn’t already exist

Create a new Lead: Choose this if you'd like the Importer to create a new Lead for any Leads in your spreadsheet that don't match to an existing Lead. (The Importer will still update existing Leads based on what you chose under "If a match is found.")
Skip the Lead: Choose this if you'd like the Importer to only update existing Leads.

Adding new information to existing Leads

On the Importer's Options page, choose a comparison field for your update. Then, under "If a match is found" choose "Only add missing information".

Here are some examples of when you'd use this type of update:

Your original import had Contact emails, but no phone numbers. Now you have a spreadsheet with phone numbers for each contact.
Adding unique customer IDs from your app to existing Leads.
Adding brand new contacts to existing Leads.

Adding data to User / Choice (multiple) type Custom Fields

If one (or more) of your spreadsheet columns is assigned to a multiple type Custom Field, the Importer will use the data in your spreadsheet to add values that aren't already listed for Leads affected by your update. Existing values will not be overwritten.

Not sure what type of Custom Field you're dealing with? Check out our guide to Custom Fields here.

Replacing information on existing Leads

On the Importer's Options page, choose a comparison field for your update. Then, under "If a match is found" choose "Replace Lead information".

Here are some examples of when you'd use this type of update:

A number of your Contacts have had job title changes.
You have more detailed address data for your Leads and want to update their primary addresses.
Your team uses a User type Custom Field for Lead assignment, and you need to reassign leads to different people on the team.

Replacing data in User/Choice (multiple) Custom Fields

If one (or more) of your spreadsheet columns is assigned to a multiple type Custom Field, the data in your spreadsheet will completely overwrite the data for Leads affected by your update.

Not sure what type of Custom Field you're dealing with? Check out our guide to Custom Fields here.

Reverting an update

Reverting an update in Close is easy - see more at our Reverting Import section.