Import clients from a CSV

Export your client list as a CSV from whatever you use today, upload it, and match its columns to GarnerDocs. You don't need to rename anything first.

Get your list as a CSV

• Xero: go to Contacts, open All contacts and select Export.
• QuickBooks Online: use the export icon above your customer list, then save the Excel file as a CSV.
• Practice-management, CRM or case-management software: look for Export on the client or contact list and choose CSV.
• Excel: select File → Save As and choose CSV UTF-8.
• Google Sheets: select File → Download → Comma-separated values.

The first row needs the column names, with one client on each row below it.

Steps

1. 1

   Open the importer

   On the Clients page, select Import CSV, then Choose a CSV file.

2. 2

   Match your columns

   For each field, pick the column that holds it. GarnerDocs fills these in from your column names and shows example values, so check they look right. If your file has no type column, pick one from Same type for every client.

3. 3

   Check the rows

   Select Check rows to see each row as it will be imported, with any problems.

4. 4

   Import

   Select Import clients. To fix a match first, select Change columns.

What you need to match

Columns you don't match, such as notes or account numbers, are left out.

Rows that are skipped

A row with a problem is skipped, and the rest are imported. A row is skipped when:

• the client name or email is empty
• the email isn't a valid address
• another client already uses the email, including an archived client
• the email appears earlier in the same file
• the type isn't one GarnerDocs recognises

Fix them and import the file again. Clients already imported are skipped then, because their email is taken.

Good to know

• Up to 500 clients and 2 MB per file. Split bigger lists into several files.
• Types are Ltd company, Partnership, Sole trader or Individual. Common spellings such as "Ltd", "Limited", "Self employed" and "Sole proprietor" work too.
• If first and last names are in separate columns, pick one under Contact name, or join them in your spreadsheet before you export.
• Importing doesn't email anyone. Clients hear from you only when you send them a request.
• Anyone in your workspace can import clients.