Want to import your contacts into CallingPost without a hitch? Here's how to give your Excel file a quick tune-up:
1. Start Fresh:
Copy your contact information (names, phone numbers, emails, etc.) into a brand new Excel sheet. This removes any hidden formatting or code that might cause problems.
Bonus Tip: When you copy, choose "Values Only" to paste just the information, not any hidden stuff.
2. Remove Duplicate Rows:
Select all your columns.
Go to the "Data" tab and click "Remove Duplicates".
Make sure all the boxes are checked in the pop-up window, then click "OK".
Excel will tell you if it found and removed any duplicates.
3. Spot Duplicate Entries:
To check for duplicate phone numbers or emails within your list:
Highlight the column with the phone numbers or emails.
Go to the "Home" tab, then "Conditional Formatting", then "Highlight Cells Rules", and finally "Duplicate Values".
Click "OK". Any duplicates will be highlighted in red.
You can then review and delete these duplicate
4. Filter and Sort:
Use filters to easily find and fix any remaining issues:
Click the filter icon (it looks like a small funnel) at the top of each column.
Sort your data to bring any blank or incomplete entries to the top.
Review and delete any rows with problems.
5. Clean Up Characters:
Sometimes phone numbers have extra characters like +, -, ( ), or spaces. These can cause problems during import.
To remove them:
Select the column with the phone numbers.
Press Ctrl + F to open "Find and Replace."
Type the character you want to remove (like "+") in the "Find what" box.
Leave the "Replace with" box empty.
Click "Replace All."
Repeat this for any other characters you need to remove.
That's it! By following these simple steps, you'll have a clean and organized contact list ready for a smooth import into CallingPost.