.csv files are useful when scheduling Digital Samba meetings for importing bulk contact lists
To import a .csv (comma-separated values) file containing a list of people you'd like to invite to a scheduled meeting, it's important to ensure that your file contains the proper formatting and doesn't include anything that might cause the import to fail, such as special characters.
The following instructions will serve as a guidepost when using .csv files to invite participants to a scheduled meeting.
Tips for a successful .CSV file import:
1. Avoid special characters: before importing your .csv file, please check for misplaced non-standard characters such as asterisks, slashes, stress marks, or even unnecessary punctuation marks. Including only required participant information goes a long way when attempting to avoid file import issues. This also includes names such as those with accent marks, such as the last name Sánchez in Spanish or the first name Benoît in French; in these cases, you'll need to replace the special accented character with a non-accented character. For example, "Benoît" would need to be spelled "Benoit" in order for the .csv file to be imported successfully.
2. Verify correct format: to ensure a successful upload onto the Participants tab in our Advanced Options section, your .csv file should be formatted per our Digital Samba template (click here to learn more). Check that your file contains headers for each field and fill out all rows/columns with participant information. Missing data might lead to file import issues.
Tip: click on this link to download a template .csv import file.
3. Remove extra spaces: leaving extra spaces after headers, participant names, emails, or roles can affect a .csv file format. Note that, many times, if you collect information via a form, then your participants may accidentally input extra spaces on their own. Here are some steps you can take to automatically remove spaces in a .csv file:
- Open the .csv file in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets.
- Select all rows and columns.
- Click on the "Edit > Replace" buttons, then select the "Options" button.
- Select the "Search" drop-down menu and select "By Columns."
- In the "Find what" field, input a space and leave the "Replace with" field blank.
- Select "Replace All."
Note: Some of these steps may not require completion depending on which program you're using to open your file (Excel or Google Sheets).
4. Check to make sure the file you're inputting is actually a .csv file: sometimes if you open a .csv file using Excel or Google Sheets, you may have accidentally saved the file in another format (in example, a ".xls" file). Always double-check that you're uploading the correct file type.
5. Verify file size: although unlikely, in some cases, a .csv file might be too large to import because it contains too many fields, columns, or rows. If an import were to fail because of file size, simply go back and break up the original file into smaller files and upload these one-by-one.