# How do I import my customer data?

You can import your full customer list into Merchant Admin at any time. This is useful for:

* Building an audience for email marketing campaigns
* Understanding who your guests are across all channels
* Retaining a centralised copy of your customer data

***

### Before you start

Make sure your file meets the following requirements:

| Requirement          | Details                                                                                                                                                                      |
| -------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **File format**      | CSV, XLS, or XLSX. If using Excel with multiple worksheets, select the one containing your data during upload.                                                               |
| **Required fields**  | Each customer must have at least one of: a valid **email address** or a **phone number** (including country code, e.g. `+65`).                                               |
| **Marketing status** | The `Marketing Status` column must contain `true` or `false` for each row. Set to `true` if the customer has opted in to receive marketing emails; `false` if they have not. |
| **Row limit**        | Maximum **50,000 rows** per file. If you have more, split your data into multiple files and import them one at a time.                                                       |

**Tip:** Download the **Customer Import Template** (available in the import screen) before preparing your file. Using the template ensures your columns match the expected format and reduces errors.

***

### Step-by-step: Import your customers

#### 1. Open the import screen

1. Log in to [Merchant Admin](https://panel.oddle.me/).
2. If you have multiple brands, select the relevant brand from the dropdown at the top left.
3. Go to **Customers**.
4. Click **More** → **Import Customers**.

#### 2. Prepare and upload your file

1. Download the **Customer Import Template** from the import screen.
2. Add your customer data into the template. Do not change the column headers.
3. Upload your file by dragging it into the import box, clicking to browse, or using the **copy-paste table data** option.
4. Add a short description for your import (e.g. "Loyalty members — April 2026").
5. Click **Next**.

#### 3. Map your columns

1. Verify that the template fields match the columns from your file. Merchant Admin will attempt to auto-match them.
2. If any column is incorrectly mapped, use the dropdown to reassign it.
3. Click **Next**.

#### 4. Review and fix errors

1. On the verification screen, any invalid data will be highlighted in red.
2. You can **edit cells directly** on this screen or **remove invalid rows** before proceeding.
3. Common errors include missing country codes on phone numbers, invalid email formats, and blank required fields.
4. Once all data is valid, click **Submit**.

***

### After you submit

* **Processing time:** Depending on file size, the import can take anywhere from a few minutes to one to two business days.
* **Where to find imported customers:** Once processing is complete, imported customers will appear in the **Customers** tab. You can filter and sort them using the available filters.
* **Duplicates:** If a customer with the same email address or phone number already exists, their record will be updated with the new data from your import rather than creating a duplicate entry.
* **Using imported customers:** Imported customers are immediately available as an audience for email marketing campaigns once the import finishes.

***

### Common issues

| Issue                             | Solution                                                                                                                  |
| --------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Phone numbers flagged as invalid  | Make sure every phone number includes the country code (e.g. `+65`, `+886`, `+60`). Do not include spaces or dashes.      |
| File won't upload                 | Check that your file is in CSV, XLS, or XLSX format. Other formats (e.g. PDF, Google Sheets links) are not accepted.      |
| Import takes longer than expected | Large files (close to 50,000 rows) may take up to two business days. If it has been longer, contact <support@oddle.me>.   |
| Column mapping looks wrong        | Ensure your file uses the same column headers as the template. Renamed or reordered columns may not auto-match correctly. |

***

### Need help?

If you run into issues with your import, reach out to <support@oddle.me> with your import file and a description of the error.

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{% endhint %}


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