First of all, it’s vital that you know all about Symplify OriginalID and the different import types before deciding what data to import to a list in Symplify.
In order to have a fresh database we strongly recommend automatic database updates.
Updating a database
When you’re about to do a manual recipient import you locate the database under Main menu > Recipients. From here you can click Options > Import. Or if you have already clicked on the list you go to the Import tab.
Click Import Excel or text file to add your file.
Now it’s time to select import method from the following three:
Click on the button for the selected import type and the select a file from your computer and hit the Next step button.
When you're file is uploaded it’s time to map (match) your file columns to your recipient attributes Symplify.
If you already have a saved import scheme matching the structure of your current file, you can select that one to skip the mapping steps.
If not, you can create a new mapping.
When mapping, these steps must be checked:
- Select file column delimiter (what is separating the comlumns/values in your file)
- Select file encoding (to save the correct characters)
- Import first row (if your file contains a header row, select No)
- Save this import schema (if you know that you will import a file with the same structure at a later point, select Yes.)
- Finally, map columns to the attributes in Symplify by selecting the attribute in the corresponding dropdown.
Import options
There are different methods for updating a database and it's crucial to know the output of these methods. Replacing list data instead of adding may impact your communication dramatically and there is import history to roll back to.
REPLACE import
When you select replace import you're replacing any current data with the data that you have in the file that you are about to import. Any contacts currently on the list that is not included in the file will be set as Inactive. They will still be associated with the list with their OriginalID:s but they will not be active as in available for sendouts.
To reactivate recipients you need to include them in the next file you import. Note that the history of the recipient will remain, even if a contact is inactived and then reactivated.
Recipients that have hard bounced or unsubscribed with Symplify unsubscribe default link will not be activated even if you include them in a file that you import.
ADD import
When you select add import you're adding the data included in the file you are about to import.
No recipients will be set to inactive.
Add import is also a great method to use if you want to update specific attributes with new and additional data.
Recipients that have hard bounced or unsubscribed with Symplify unsubscribe default link will not be activated even if you include them in a file that you import.
UNSUBSCRIBE import
When you have a file with email recipients that you want to unsubscribe from your recipient list you select the import type Unsubscribe by original id.
When you have a file with SMS recipients you can upload a file containing mobile numbers to unsubscribe recipients from further text messages by selecting the import type Unsubscribe by mobile number.
It’s important that your file only contains one column (with the mobile numbers).
Please note when doing an Unsubscribe import:
When you do an unsubscribe import, the recipients that you want to unsubscribe must exist on the list, otherwise the import will not know which ones to unsubscribe.
If you do not already have them in your list, you will have to do an ADD import and then an unsubscribe import, with the same OriginalID:s/mobile numbers.