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Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File

Learn how to bulk import Companies in GHL Customer Care using a CSV. Map fields, prevent empty overwrites, verify changes, and track results in Bulk Actions in CRM.

7 min read1,673 words8 explained imagesUpdated Thu, 6 Aug at 7:28 AM
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On this page
  1. What is Company Bulk Import?
  2. Key Benefits of Company Bulk Import
  3. Prerequisites
  4. Common CSV Preparation Mistakes
  5. Import Modes Explained
  6. How to Import Companies
  7. Understanding Record IDs
  8. Duplicate Detection and Unique Fields
  9. Update Empty Values
  10. Monitor Import Status
  11. Best Practices
  12. Frequently Asked Questions
CRM Management

Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File

Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data, update existing Companies, or synchronize Company information in GHL Customer Care.
What You'll Learn

This article explains how to import Company records in bulk using CSV files. The bulk import tool provides a guided workflow for uploading, mapping, verifying, and processing Company records while helping reduce errors through field validation and duplicate detection.

Whether you're moving data from another CRM or updating existing records, this feature streamlines Company management at scale.

1What is Company Bulk Import?

Company Bulk Import allows you to create new Company records, update existing ones, or perform both actions simultaneously by uploading a CSV file. The guided import wizard walks you through preparing your file, mapping columns to Company fields, reviewing the import, and monitoring progress through Bulk Actions.

Using the correct import mode and properly mapped fields helps maintain accurate Company data while reducing manual work and improving data consistency across your CRM.

2Key Benefits of Company Bulk Import

Company Bulk Import simplifies large-scale data management while giving you control over how records are created and updated.

Save Time — Import hundreds or thousands of Company records instead of creating them individually.
Flexible Import Modes — Create new Companies, update existing ones, or perform both operations in a single import.
Smart Field Mapping — Match CSV columns to GHL Customer Care Company fields before importing.
Duplicate Protection — Prevent unwanted duplicate Companies using Record IDs and unique fields.
Review Before Importing — Verify mappings and import settings before processing records.
Import Monitoring — Track import progress, warnings, and errors through Bulk Actions.
Detailed Reporting — Download reports to review successful imports and troubleshoot failed records.

3Prerequisites

Preparing your CSV correctly before importing significantly reduces validation errors and ensures your Company data imports successfully.

Important

Before starting, verify you have permission to access the Companies module, Company Management is enabled for your account, and your CSV file meets all formatting requirements.

Before starting, verify the following:

  • You have permission to access the Companies module.
  • Company Management is enabled for your account.
  • Your CSV file is saved in .csv format.
  • The first row contains column headers.
  • Required Company fields are included.
  • Data is clean and consistently formatted.
  • Custom Company fields already exist if you intend to import values into them.
Best Practice

Before importing thousands of Companies, perform a test import using a small CSV containing 5–10 records to confirm mappings and formatting.

4Common CSV Preparation Mistakes

Many import errors occur because of formatting issues within the CSV file. Reviewing your data beforehand helps prevent failed imports and unnecessary cleanup.

Warning

Avoid the following common mistakes that cause import failures and data quality issues.

Avoid the following:

  • Missing required fields
  • Blank header rows
  • Duplicate column names
  • Invalid date formats
  • Extra spaces within important values
  • Incorrect email or phone number formatting (if applicable)
  • Unsupported special characters
  • Empty columns that are not needed

5Import Modes Explained

Choosing the correct import mode ensures GHL Customer Care handles each record exactly as intended.

Note

Select the import mode carefully based on whether you're adding new Companies, updating existing ones, or performing both operations.

Mode 1
Create

Use Create when importing Companies that do not already exist in GHL Customer Care. This mode only creates new Company records.

Example: You are migrating Companies from another CRM into GHL Customer Care for the first time.

Mode 2
Update

Use Update when modifying existing Company records. This mode requires a reliable identifier, such as the Company Record ID, to locate the correct Company before updating it.

Example: You need to update Company phone numbers or addresses without creating new Companies.

Mode 3
Create & Update

Use Create & Update when your CSV contains a combination of existing and new Companies. Existing Companies are updated while Companies that do not exist are created automatically.

Example: You receive a monthly Company export from another system containing both new customers and updates to existing ones.

6How to Import Companies

Following the guided import wizard helps validate your data before processing and minimizes import errors.

Step 1
Start the Import
  • Navigate to Contacts.
  • Select Companies.
  • Click Import.
How to Import Companies (image 1 of 8) What this shows CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data… What this shows Illustrates the "How to Import Companies" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". This screenshot appears in the "How to Import Companies" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". For context, this section explains: CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data, update existing Companies, or synchronize Company information in GHL Customer Care. What You'll Learn This article explains how to import Company records in bulk…. This part of the guide covers 12 fields, listed below. Image 1 of 8
Fields in this part of the guide Missing required fieldsBlank header rowsDuplicate column namesInvalid date formatsExtra spaces within important valuesIncorrect email or phone number formatting (if applicable)Unsupported special charactersEmpty columns that are not neededImport modeNumber of recordsField mappingsDuplicate handling settings
Buttons and menus referenced Save TimeFlexible Import ModesSmart Field MappingDuplicate ProtectionReview Before ImportingImport MonitoringDetailed ReportingTest imports with a small sample firstVerify custom fields before uploadingReview mappings carefullyAvoid unnecessary blank valuesMonitor Bulk Actions after every import
All 7 steps in this procedure
  1. You have permission to access the Companies module.
  2. Company Management is enabled for your account.
  3. Your CSV file is saved in.csv format.
  4. The first row contains column headers.
  5. Required Company fields are included.
  6. Data is clean and consistently formatted.
  7. Custom Company fields already exist if you intend to import values into them.

Choose the appropriate import mode (Create, Update, or Create & Update) and click Next.

How to Import Companies (image 2 of 8) What this shows CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data… What this shows Illustrates the "How to Import Companies" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". This screenshot appears in the "How to Import Companies" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". For context, this section explains: CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data, update existing Companies, or synchronize Company information in GHL Customer Care. What You'll Learn This article explains how to import Company records in bulk…. This part of the guide covers 12 fields, listed below. Image 2 of 8
Fields in this part of the guide Missing required fieldsBlank header rowsDuplicate column namesInvalid date formatsExtra spaces within important valuesIncorrect email or phone number formatting (if applicable)Unsupported special charactersEmpty columns that are not neededImport modeNumber of recordsField mappingsDuplicate handling settings
Buttons and menus referenced Save TimeFlexible Import ModesSmart Field MappingDuplicate ProtectionReview Before ImportingImport MonitoringDetailed ReportingTest imports with a small sample firstVerify custom fields before uploadingReview mappings carefullyAvoid unnecessary blank valuesMonitor Bulk Actions after every import
All 7 steps in this procedure
  1. You have permission to access the Companies module.
  2. Company Management is enabled for your account.
  3. Your CSV file is saved in.csv format.
  4. The first row contains column headers.
  5. Required Company fields are included.
  6. Data is clean and consistently formatted.
  7. Custom Company fields already exist if you intend to import values into them.
Step 2
Upload Your CSV File

Upload the CSV containing your Company records. GHL Customer Care validates the uploaded file before moving to the mapping stage.

Ensure:

  • Headers are included.
  • Required fields exist.
  • File formatting is correct.

Click Next.

How to Import Companies (image 3 of 8) What this shows CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data… What this shows Illustrates the "How to Import Companies" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". This screenshot appears in the "How to Import Companies" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". For context, this section explains: CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data, update existing Companies, or synchronize Company information in GHL Customer Care. What You'll Learn This article explains how to import Company records in bulk…. This part of the guide covers 12 fields, listed below. Image 3 of 8
Fields in this part of the guide Missing required fieldsBlank header rowsDuplicate column namesInvalid date formatsExtra spaces within important valuesIncorrect email or phone number formatting (if applicable)Unsupported special charactersEmpty columns that are not neededImport modeNumber of recordsField mappingsDuplicate handling settings
Buttons and menus referenced Save TimeFlexible Import ModesSmart Field MappingDuplicate ProtectionReview Before ImportingImport MonitoringDetailed ReportingTest imports with a small sample firstVerify custom fields before uploadingReview mappings carefullyAvoid unnecessary blank valuesMonitor Bulk Actions after every import
All 7 steps in this procedure
  1. You have permission to access the Companies module.
  2. Company Management is enabled for your account.
  3. Your CSV file is saved in.csv format.
  4. The first row contains column headers.
  5. Required Company fields are included.
  6. Data is clean and consistently formatted.
  7. Custom Company fields already exist if you intend to import values into them.
Step 3
Map Company Fields

Field mapping determines where each CSV column will be imported inside GHL Customer Care. Review every mapped field carefully.

For each column:

  • Verify the detected Company field.
  • Adjust mappings if necessary.
  • Ignore unnecessary columns.
  • Confirm custom fields map correctly.
How to Import Companies (image 4 of 8) What this shows CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data… What this shows Illustrates the "How to Import Companies" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". This screenshot appears in the "How to Import Companies" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". For context, this section explains: CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data, update existing Companies, or synchronize Company information in GHL Customer Care. What You'll Learn This article explains how to import Company records in bulk…. This part of the guide covers 12 fields, listed below. Image 4 of 8
Fields in this part of the guide Missing required fieldsBlank header rowsDuplicate column namesInvalid date formatsExtra spaces within important valuesIncorrect email or phone number formatting (if applicable)Unsupported special charactersEmpty columns that are not neededImport modeNumber of recordsField mappingsDuplicate handling settings
Buttons and menus referenced Save TimeFlexible Import ModesSmart Field MappingDuplicate ProtectionReview Before ImportingImport MonitoringDetailed ReportingTest imports with a small sample firstVerify custom fields before uploadingReview mappings carefullyAvoid unnecessary blank valuesMonitor Bulk Actions after every import
All 7 steps in this procedure
  1. You have permission to access the Companies module.
  2. Company Management is enabled for your account.
  3. Your CSV file is saved in.csv format.
  4. The first row contains column headers.
  5. Required Company fields are included.
  6. Data is clean and consistently formatted.
  7. Custom Company fields already exist if you intend to import values into them.

GHL Customer Care attempts to map columns automatically whenever possible. Click Next.

Note

Review field mappings carefully before proceeding. Incorrect mappings can result in data appearing in wrong fields or import failures.

Step 4
Verify Import Settings

Before processing begins, review the import summary.

Confirm:

  • Import mode
  • Number of records
  • Field mappings
  • Duplicate handling settings
  • Update Empty Values option

If everything looks correct, click Start Bulk Import.

How to Import Companies (image 5 of 8) What this shows CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data… What this shows Illustrates the "How to Import Companies" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". This screenshot appears in the "How to Import Companies" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". For context, this section explains: CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data, update existing Companies, or synchronize Company information in GHL Customer Care. What You'll Learn This article explains how to import Company records in bulk…. This part of the guide covers 12 fields, listed below. Image 5 of 8
Fields in this part of the guide Missing required fieldsBlank header rowsDuplicate column namesInvalid date formatsExtra spaces within important valuesIncorrect email or phone number formatting (if applicable)Unsupported special charactersEmpty columns that are not neededImport modeNumber of recordsField mappingsDuplicate handling settings
Buttons and menus referenced Save TimeFlexible Import ModesSmart Field MappingDuplicate ProtectionReview Before ImportingImport MonitoringDetailed ReportingTest imports with a small sample firstVerify custom fields before uploadingReview mappings carefullyAvoid unnecessary blank valuesMonitor Bulk Actions after every import
All 7 steps in this procedure
  1. You have permission to access the Companies module.
  2. Company Management is enabled for your account.
  3. Your CSV file is saved in.csv format.
  4. The first row contains column headers.
  5. Required Company fields are included.
  6. Data is clean and consistently formatted.
  7. Custom Company fields already exist if you intend to import values into them.

7Understanding Record IDs

Record IDs uniquely identify each Company within GHL Customer Care. Using Record IDs during update imports ensures the correct Company is modified, even if multiple Companies share similar names.

Important

If Record IDs are unavailable, configure an appropriate unique Company field for duplicate matching whenever possible.

Example:

CompanyRecord ID
ABC Manufacturing672918
XYZ Logistics918234

Updating by Record ID eliminates ambiguity during bulk updates.

8Duplicate Detection and Unique Fields

Duplicate detection helps prevent accidental creation of multiple Company records representing the same business.

Depending on your import mode, GHL Customer Care compares incoming records using Company Record ID, configured unique Company fields, or existing Company records.

Duplicate Detection and Unique Fields (image 6 of 8) What this shows CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data… What this shows Illustrates the "Duplicate Detection and Unique Fields" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". This screenshot appears in the "Duplicate Detection and Unique Fields" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". For context, this section explains: CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data, update existing Companies, or synchronize Company information in GHL Customer Care. What You'll Learn This article explains how to import Company records in bulk…. This part of the guide covers 12 fields, listed below. Image 6 of 8
Fields in this part of the guide Missing required fieldsBlank header rowsDuplicate column namesInvalid date formatsExtra spaces within important valuesIncorrect email or phone number formatting (if applicable)Unsupported special charactersEmpty columns that are not neededImport modeNumber of recordsField mappingsDuplicate handling settings
Buttons and menus referenced Save TimeFlexible Import ModesSmart Field MappingDuplicate ProtectionReview Before ImportingImport MonitoringDetailed ReportingTest imports with a small sample firstVerify custom fields before uploadingReview mappings carefullyAvoid unnecessary blank valuesMonitor Bulk Actions after every import
All 7 steps in this procedure
  1. You have permission to access the Companies module.
  2. Company Management is enabled for your account.
  3. Your CSV file is saved in.csv format.
  4. The first row contains column headers.
  5. Required Company fields are included.
  6. Data is clean and consistently formatted.
  7. Custom Company fields already exist if you intend to import values into them.
Note

If duplicate conflicts occur, review the import report after processing to identify affected records.

Possible outcomes include:

  • New Company created
  • Existing Company updated
  • Duplicate detected
  • Validation error generated

9Update Empty Values

The Update Empty Values option determines how blank cells in your CSV affect existing Company information.

Update Empty Values (image 7 of 8) What this shows CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data… What this shows Illustrates the "Update Empty Values" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". This screenshot appears in the "Update Empty Values" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". For context, this section explains: CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data, update existing Companies, or synchronize Company information in GHL Customer Care. What You'll Learn This article explains how to import Company records in bulk…. This part of the guide covers 12 fields, listed below. Image 7 of 8
Fields in this part of the guide Missing required fieldsBlank header rowsDuplicate column namesInvalid date formatsExtra spaces within important valuesIncorrect email or phone number formatting (if applicable)Unsupported special charactersEmpty columns that are not neededImport modeNumber of recordsField mappingsDuplicate handling settings
Buttons and menus referenced Save TimeFlexible Import ModesSmart Field MappingDuplicate ProtectionReview Before ImportingImport MonitoringDetailed ReportingTest imports with a small sample firstVerify custom fields before uploadingReview mappings carefullyAvoid unnecessary blank valuesMonitor Bulk Actions after every import
All 7 steps in this procedure
  1. You have permission to access the Companies module.
  2. Company Management is enabled for your account.
  3. Your CSV file is saved in.csv format.
  4. The first row contains column headers.
  5. Required Company fields are included.
  6. Data is clean and consistently formatted.
  7. Custom Company fields already exist if you intend to import values into them.
Warning

When Update Empty Values is enabled, blank CSV cells will overwrite existing Company data. Use this option carefully to avoid accidental data loss.

When Enabled
Blank values overwrite existing Company data

Example:

Current Phone Number: (555) 123-4567

CSV Phone Number: (blank)

Result: The Phone Number is cleared.

When Disabled
Blank cells are ignored

Existing Company values remain unchanged. This is the recommended option when performing routine updates and your CSV does not intentionally clear information.

10Monitor Import Status

Bulk Actions allows administrators to monitor every Company import from start to finish.

Monitor Import Status (image 8 of 8) What this shows CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data… What this shows Illustrates the "Monitor Import Status" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". This screenshot appears in the "Monitor Import Status" section of "Bulk Import Companies Using a CSV File". For context, this section explains: CRM Management Import Companies (Custom Objects) Using a CSV File Import Company records in bulk using a CSV file to quickly migrate data, update existing Companies, or synchronize Company information in GHL Customer Care. What You'll Learn This article explains how to import Company records in bulk…. This part of the guide covers 12 fields, listed below. Image 8 of 8
Fields in this part of the guide Missing required fieldsBlank header rowsDuplicate column namesInvalid date formatsExtra spaces within important valuesIncorrect email or phone number formatting (if applicable)Unsupported special charactersEmpty columns that are not neededImport modeNumber of recordsField mappingsDuplicate handling settings
Buttons and menus referenced Save TimeFlexible Import ModesSmart Field MappingDuplicate ProtectionReview Before ImportingImport MonitoringDetailed ReportingTest imports with a small sample firstVerify custom fields before uploadingReview mappings carefullyAvoid unnecessary blank valuesMonitor Bulk Actions after every import
All 7 steps in this procedure
  1. You have permission to access the Companies module.
  2. Company Management is enabled for your account.
  3. Your CSV file is saved in.csv format.
  4. The first row contains column headers.
  5. Required Company fields are included.
  6. Data is clean and consistently formatted.
  7. Custom Company fields already exist if you intend to import values into them.
Pro Tip

Download error reports immediately if validation issues occur. This makes it easier to correct failed records and re-import only the affected Companies.

Each import displays:

  • Status
  • Records processed
  • Successful imports
  • Warnings
  • Failed records
  • Completion time

Available actions may include:

  • View Details
  • Pause
  • Resume
  • Cancel (when available)
  • Download Error Report
  • Download Success Report

11Best Practices

Following recommended import practices helps improve accuracy and reduces cleanup after importing.

Export existing Company data before performing large update imports — This provides a backup that can be used if you need to review or restore information after an import.
Test imports with a small sample first — Perform a test import using 5–10 records to confirm mappings and formatting before processing thousands of Companies.
Verify custom fields before uploading — Create custom Company fields before importing your CSV. GHL Customer Care will not automatically create missing custom fields.
Review mappings carefully — Double-check that CSV columns map to the correct CRM fields before proceeding. Incorrect mappings can result in data appearing in wrong fields or import failures.
Avoid unnecessary blank values — Clean your data before importing and consider disabling Update Empty Values to prevent accidental data loss.
Monitor Bulk Actions after every import — Track import progress and review completion status to identify any errors or warnings that require attention.
Download error reports immediately — If validation issues occur, download the error report to correct affected records and re-import only those Companies.
Confirm imported Companies by reviewing several records — After completion, verify a sample of imported Companies to ensure data imported correctly.

12Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I import new and existing Companies at the same time?
Yes. Use the Create & Update import mode.
Q: Can I stop an import after it starts?
Depending on the import status, Bulk Actions may allow you to pause or cancel an active import.
Q: What happens if duplicate Companies are found?
GHL Customer Care evaluates duplicate records using Record IDs and configured unique fields. The affected records are updated, skipped, or flagged depending on your import settings.
Q: Can I import custom Company fields?
Yes. Existing custom Company fields can be mapped during the Field Mapping step.
Q: Will GHL Customer Care automatically create missing custom fields?
No. Create custom Company fields before importing your CSV.
Q: Can I edit field mappings before starting the import?
Yes. Review and adjust mappings during the Field Mapping step before confirming the import.
Q: What should I do if some records fail?
Download the error report from Bulk Actions, correct the affected records in your CSV, and import only those records again.
Q: Should I export my Companies before updating them?
Yes. Exporting your existing Company data provides a backup that can be used if you need to review or restore information after an import.
Q: Does importing Companies automatically create associations with Contacts or Opportunities?
No. Company imports only create or update Company records. Associations must be managed separately where supported.
Q: Can I undo an import?

No. Imports cannot be reversed. Always validate your CSV before starting. 

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