Import your data

You bring records from HubSpot, Salesforce, Attio, Pipedrive, Zoho or a spreadsheet into Lightfield as CSV files in chat. The agent maps your columns, checks for records that already exist, and asks you to review the proposed changes. Settings → Import history lists files imported with Lightfield’s earlier importer.

Who can use it

Importing is on every plan. Only owners and admins see the import options on the record tables and the Import history tab. If you’re a member, ask an admin to run the import.

Before you import

• Wait for your first mail sync to finish. Importing while it’s still running can create two records for every company you’ve emailed: one from the import and one from your inbox.
• Export one file per record type: accounts, contacts and opportunities, plus custom objects if you have them. See Export from your old CRM.
• Include the columns Lightfield matches on: a domain or website column for accounts and an email column for contacts. These are how Lightfield spots existing records and links contacts to accounts.
• Import accounts first, then contacts, then opportunities. Each attaches to the ones before it.

A CSV import is a one-time copy. Emails aren’t imported from CSV; connect the mailbox in Mail and Calendar and Lightfield syncs its email. To keep HubSpot records flowing in, see HubSpot sync.

Import a CSV

1. Open Accounts, Contacts or Opportunities.
2. Click Import / Export at the top of the table and choose Import accounts in chat (or Import contacts in chat, or Import opportunities in chat). A chat opens with the Import data skill.
3. Attach your CSV.
4. Review the agent’s analysis: how many rows it found, how each column maps to a Lightfield field, and how many rows update existing records versus create new ones.
5. Confirm the scope and any changes it proposes.

The agent imports the records and reports what it created, updated and skipped. The chat stays in your chat list as the record of the import. You can also start from any chat: attach the file and say “Import these contacts into my CRM.” Custom object records import the same way.

Columns with no matching field

You don’t need to create fields first. For a column with no matching field, the agent proposes a new field for you to approve. For select fields, it matches values to your existing options, so “Health Care” lands on “Healthcare”, and proposes any missing options. To set fields up first, use Data model.

Stages and pipelines

Opportunity stages in your CSV need to match the stage names in your pipelines. If you run more than one pipeline, add a pipeline column next to the stage column. See Pipelines.

Duplicates and re-running

The agent checks every row against your existing records, so a matching account or contact is updated rather than created again. Rows it can’t match with confidence come to you for a decision. If an import is interrupted, reopen its chat and ask the agent to identify which rows completed before you retry. Review the proposed matches and remaining rows before approving another import. Some duplication on a first import is normal; see Merge duplicates.

What to expect

• Created at shows the import date, not the date from your old system. If the original date matters, bring it in as a custom field.
• Enrichment still runs. Imported accounts and contacts are enriched according to each field’s settings, so empty fields can still fill in.

For a large file or data that needs cleanup, ask the agent to inspect the file and plan the import before writing records. If you want Lightfield staff to manage the migration for you, email support@lightfield.app to request the managed import service.

Find a past import in Import history

Settings → Import history lists CSV files imported with Lightfield’s earlier importer, on the Accounts, Opportunities and Contacts tabs. Imports you run in chat aren’t listed; open that chat from your chat list instead.

Each row shows the File name with its column and row counts, the Uploader, the Date added and a Status of Success or Failed. An import where some rows failed shows two rows. On the Failed one, choose Download failed rows to see which rows didn’t import and why. Download imported CSV gets the original file back.

Export from your old CRM

Export accounts, contacts and opportunities as separate CSV files. These steps describe other companies’ products and may change, so check their help if a menu has moved.

• HubSpot: in CRM, open Contacts, Companies and Deals in turn, on the All view, and choose Export as CSV with all properties and associated records. HubSpot emails a download link that expires after 30 days. Keep the Record ID column, because the agent uses it to reconnect contacts to companies and deals. You need export permission in HubSpot.
• Salesforce: for a full migration, go to Setup → Data Export → Export Now, choose Account, Contact, Opportunity and any custom objects, and include all data. Salesforce emails a ZIP with one CSV per object. Custom fields use API names such as Account_Tier__c; correct any mapping during the import.
• Attio: an admin goes to Workspace settings → General and starts a workspace data export, or exports one object with Import / Export → Export CSV.
• Pipedrive: go to Tools and apps → Export data, choose Persons, Organizations or Deals as CSV, and repeat for each.
• Zoho CRM: go to Setup → Data Administration → Export and export Accounts, Contacts and Deals with all fields. A single export holds up to 200,000 records per module; for more, use Data Backup.
• Anything else: find the export option, usually under settings or a list view’s menu, and check that the accounts file has a domain or website column and the contacts file an email column.

Troubleshooting

I don’t see Import / Export on the table

Only owners and admins see the import options. Ask an admin to run the import.

My import isn’t in Import history

Import history lists only files imported with Lightfield’s earlier importer. Open the chat you imported in from your chat list to see what was created, updated and skipped.

Download imported CSV fails

The file was hosted by Lightfield’s earlier import provider and may no longer be available. Ask the agent in chat to export the records instead.

Common questions

Will importing create duplicate records? Usually not. The agent matches each row by domain or website for accounts and email for contacts, and asks about rows it can’t match. Import after your first mail sync finishes.

In what order should I import accounts, contacts and opportunities? Accounts first, then contacts, then opportunities, because each attaches to the ones before it.

Can I import emails from my old CRM? No. Connect the mailbox in Mail and Calendar and Lightfield syncs its email.

Can members import data? No. Only owners and admins see the import options on the record tables.