> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.cymbal.co/help/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.cymbal.co/help/contacts/uploading-contacts.md).

# Uploading Contacts

Before uploading, make sure your CSV file is formatted correctly. (You can still map columns later even if they aren’t formatted exactly.)

#### Example CSV Format

| Full name  | First name | Last name | Email address       | Phone number    | Tags                  | Genres             | Address           | Brithday    |
| ---------- | ---------- | --------- | ------------------- | --------------- | --------------------- | ------------------ | ----------------- | ----------- |
| John Smith | John       | Smith     | <example@email.com> | +1-234-567-8910 | "Top Spenders", "VIP" | "Dance/Electronic" | San Francisco, CA | Jan 1, 1990 |

{% file src="/files/zdjh0jxlLSd666DFsgwc" %}

#### Supported Date Formats

When including dates in your CSV (e.g., birthdays), Cymbal supports the following formats:

* **2006-01-02** - International Standard (ISO 8601)
* **2006/01/02** - International Standard with slashes
* **02 Jan 2006** – Human-readable (day first, abbreviated month)
* **2 Jan 2006** – Human-readable, no leading zero
* **January 2, 2006** – US-style written date
* **Jan 2, 2006** – US-style with abbreviated month
* **01/02/2006** – US short format (MM/DD/YYYY)

#### Steps to Upload Contacts

1. Go to [**Audience**](https://manager.cymbal.co/audience) tab:&#x20;
2. Click **Add contacts** (top right).

<figure><img src="/files/eXv4R83W71tsylEoevE4" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3. Select **Upload CSV**.

<figure><img src="/files/vu8l7TOXkel6iCGMbfCm" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

4. Upload your file by either:

* Clicking **Choose a file**, or
* Dragging and dropping your file onto the screen.

<figure><img src="/files/uiZ1h0QBPNRlfOHt9AfO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

5. Choose how to handle **Email** and **Text subscriptions**:

* **Subscribe everyone** – marks all contacts as subscribed, even if they previously opted out.
* **Subscribe only if not opted out** – adds contacts without re-subscribing anyone who unsubscribed.
* **Unsubscribe everyone** – marks all as unsubscribed.
* **Unsubscribe only if not subscribed** – unsubscribes only those not already subscribed.
* **Don’t change subscription** – keeps current subscription status.\
  Click **Continue**.

<figure><img src="/files/9vHz3a7ijBXAaQQRsYQN" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

6. Map your CSV fields to **Cymbal attributes**:

* Left column = your CSV column names.
* Middle = assign each to the correct Cymbal field (e.g., email, phone, first name, last name).
* Right column = preview of your CSV data for accuracy.\
  Click **Continue**.

<figure><img src="/files/TIwYK2Be0RgOeanxgwsM" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

⚡ **Note:** Only contacts with **explicit consent** may receive emails or texts.

***

7. Add **tags** or **lists** to organize contacts:

* **Tags**: Internal only, customers cannot see them. Used for segmentation and tracking.
* **Lists**: Can be public or private. Customers can subscribe/unsubscribe if public. Used for managing preferences.\
  Select tags and/or lists, then click **Continue**.

<figure><img src="/files/Gm0FyXX5GQkx5sHTwjBx" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

8. Cymbal will process your CSV (this may take a few minutes). Your **audience size** will update once complete.