How to Export Contacts as CSV in GoHighLevel
If you are moving data from ClickUp checklists or other platforms into your CRM, understanding how to export and read contact data in GoHighLevel is essential. This guide explains how the legacy contacts export works, how to enable the upgrade, and how to correctly interpret each SMS-related column in your CSV file.
This article is based on the official GoHighLevel documentation and focuses on the upgraded contact export behavior so you can avoid confusion and keep your reporting accurate.
Overview of the GoHighLevel Contacts CSV Export Upgrade
The contact export feature in GoHighLevel lets you download detailed information about your contacts as a CSV file. An upgrade to this feature changed how SMS statistics are calculated and displayed so they match the analytics seen in Conversations and Reporting.
Previously, the system counted SMS metrics at the contact/activity level. After the upgrade, SMS data is now based on the actual SMS thread, which provides more accurate and meaningful reporting.
How to Enable the GoHighLevel Contacts Export Upgrade
Although the upgrade is now generally available, you may encounter legacy behavior if your account has not been updated yet or if you are reviewing old exports. To ensure you are using the most up-to-date process, follow these steps and notes:
- Log in to your GoHighLevel account with administrator or appropriate user permissions.
- Open the help or support documentation area if you need to confirm current export behavior.
- Navigate to the Contacts section where you normally manage and export your contacts.
- Export your contacts as CSV from the main Contacts area or from a specific Smart List view.
- Check whether your downloaded CSV includes the new SMS thread–based columns and definitions described in this article.
If your CSV matches the column behavior and descriptions listed below, you are already on the upgraded export system.
For more detailed official information about the legacy versus upgraded export, see the original GoHighLevel help article at this external documentation page.
Key Changes in the GoHighLevel Contacts CSV Export
The main change in the upgraded contacts export is how SMS activities are counted per contact. Instead of counting every activity item individually, the system now works at the conversation thread level. This affects several columns in your CSV:
- Columns that used to show counts or statuses based on individual messages now reflect the status of the SMS thread.
- New logic determines whether a contact is considered “SMS engaged” or “email engaged.”
- Some fields that were previously ambiguous now have clear, defined behavior.
These changes help your exported CSV line up more clearly with GoHighLevel reporting dashboards.
GoHighLevel SMS Engagement Fields in the CSV
The CSV contains fields that indicate whether a contact has engaged with your SMS communication. Understanding these is crucial when you import or analyze the data in other tools.
GoHighLevel SMS Engaged Status
This field tells you if an SMS thread exists between your account and the contact. A thread may include:
- Outbound messages sent from your GoHighLevel account
- Inbound replies from the contact
- Ongoing text conversations across campaigns and manual messages
Because the reporting is now thread-based, the status better reflects whether there is a meaningful back-and-forth rather than individual one-off messages.
GoHighLevel SMS Unsubscribed Status
This column shows whether the contact has unsubscribed from SMS messages. The value is determined by the unsubscribe status of the SMS thread inside your GoHighLevel location. If a contact texts a stop keyword or is manually unsubscribed, the CSV export will reflect that status.
Use this field in your downstream processes to avoid messaging people who have opted out, especially if you upload the CSV into other platforms.
GoHighLevel SMS Outgoing and Incoming Statistics
The upgraded export includes specific columns that summarize outgoing and incoming SMS activity for each contact.
GoHighLevel SMS Outgoing Count
This column indicates how many outbound SMS messages have been sent to the contact in the context of the SMS thread. It includes messages from:
- Automations and workflows
- Manual messages sent from the Conversations area
- Campaigns and bulk messaging features
The count may not match legacy exports that were based on raw activity logs, because the new approach works from the consolidated thread.
GoHighLevel SMS Incoming Count
This field identifies how many inbound SMS messages—from the contact to you—exist in the thread. It is a strong indicator of actual engagement, as it represents direct replies from the contact instead of just delivered messages.
When you are segmenting your CSV in Excel or Google Sheets, you can filter contacts based on this field to find those who are truly interacting with your messaging.
GoHighLevel First and Last SMS Timestamps
Two important timestamp columns in the CSV help you understand when the SMS conversation started and when it last occurred.
GoHighLevel First SMS Time
This column records the date and time of the first SMS in the thread for that contact. It could be:
- The first outbound SMS you sent
- The first inbound SMS they sent (for example, texting a keyword to your number)
This data is useful for mapping when a contact first engaged via SMS in your GoHighLevel account and for building lifecycle or cohort analyses.
GoHighLevel Last SMS Time
This field represents the date and time of the most recent SMS associated with the contact’s thread. It can come from:
- A recent outbound message triggered by an automation
- A manual SMS from your team
- The latest reply from the contact
Use this column to identify dormant contacts or to target re-engagement campaigns when exporting and working with the CSV in other platforms.
Best Practices for Using GoHighLevel CSV Export Data
Once you have your CSV from GoHighLevel, you can use it in external tools for deeper analysis or migration. Consider the following best practices:
- Preserve headers: Keep the original column names so you can map them back to GoHighLevel fields later.
- Filter by engagement: Use SMS incoming counts and timestamps to identify your most active contacts.
- Honor unsubscribe statuses: Always respect the SMS unsubscribed field when importing data into other systems.
- Document your mapping: Create a mapping sheet if you are syncing you CSV with analytics tools or with other CRMs.
For advanced CRM workflow design, reporting dashboards, and GoHighLevel implementation help, you can also consult specialized agencies such as Consultevo, which focus on automation and data strategy.
Summary: Working Effectively With GoHighLevel Contacts Export
The upgraded contacts export in GoHighLevel ensures that SMS-related fields are accurate and consistent with how conversations appear inside the platform. By understanding SMS engagement status, incoming and outgoing counts, and first/last SMS timestamps, you can confidently use your CSV for reporting, segmentation, and migrations.
Always verify that your export follows the upgraded behavior and refer to the official GoHighLevel help center whenever in doubt. This will keep your analytics, compliance, and marketing decisions aligned with what actually happens in your contacts’ SMS threads.
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