--- title: Import your data | Lightfield description: Import CSV records in chat and review past imports. --- 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](#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](/help/settings/mail-and-calendar/index.md) and Lightfield syncs its email. To keep HubSpot records flowing in, see [HubSpot sync](/help/automations/hubspot-sync/index.md). ## 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](/help/settings/data-model/index.md). ### 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](/help/settings/pipelines/index.md). ### 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](/help/accounts/merge-duplicates/index.md). ### 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 to request the managed import service. ## Find a past import in Import history [Settings → Import history](https://crm.lightfield.app/crm/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.