How to Import Contacts and Opportunities into GoHighLevel via CSV

If you are moving from tools like ClickUp or another CRM, importing your existing data into GoHighLevel is essential for a smooth transition. This guide walks you step by step through preparing your CSV files, importing contacts and opportunities, and avoiding common errors so your migration is fast and accurate.

The instructions below are based on the official GoHighLevel documentation and will help you confidently upload large lists of contacts and pipeline opportunities.

GoHighLevel CSV Import Basics

Before you start, it is important to understand what kinds of data can be imported into GoHighLevel and how CSV files must be formatted.

• Supported data types: Contacts and Opportunities
• Supported file type: .CSV (comma-separated values)
• Recommended spreadsheet tools: Google Sheets, Excel, or similar

To avoid issues, always keep a backup of your original data file before importing anything into GoHighLevel.

Prepare Your CSV for GoHighLevel Contacts

Proper formatting is the most critical step. GoHighLevel requires specific column headers and clean data in each row.

Required columns for contact import

At minimum, each row should contain unique identifying information so that GoHighLevel can create or update records correctly. Common columns include:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Email
• Phone
• Address
• City
• State
• Postal Code
• Country

If your contacts do not have both email and phone, make sure at least one of those fields is consistently filled in so GoHighLevel can recognize duplicate records when re-importing.

Optional and custom fields in GoHighLevel

You can also include optional data such as:

• Company Name
• Website
• Tags
• Source
• Any custom fields you have created in your GoHighLevel account

When you import, you will map each CSV column to a field in GoHighLevel, including your custom fields.

Data formatting best practices

• Use one header row only; do not merge cells.
• Ensure phone numbers are in a consistent format (for example, including country code).
• Use plain text only, with no formulas left in cells.
• Remove extra spaces, line breaks, or special characters that are not needed.
• Save or export the file as a UTF-8 encoded CSV for best compatibility with GoHighLevel.

Step-by-Step: Import Contacts into GoHighLevel

After preparing your CSV, follow these steps inside GoHighLevel to complete the import.

1. Log in to your GoHighLevel account.
   Make sure you have admin or appropriate permissions for the location where you want to import contacts.
2. Navigate to the Contacts section.
   In the left sidebar, open the location where you want the new contacts to live, then click Contacts.
3. Click the Import button.
   Look for an Import or Import Contacts button within the Contacts area and select it.
4. Upload your CSV file.
   Click to browse and upload your prepared CSV file from your computer.
5. Map CSV columns to GoHighLevel fields.
   For each column, select which GoHighLevel field it should populate, such as First Name, Email, or a custom field.
6. Configure tags and options.
   You can optionally apply tags to all imported contacts or set default values that will be applied during the import.
7. Confirm and start the import.
   Review the summary of mapped fields, then confirm to begin the import process.
8. Wait for processing to complete.
   The system may take several minutes depending on file size. Once finished, the new records will appear in your GoHighLevel Contacts list.

Prepare Opportunities for GoHighLevel Import

In addition to contacts, you can also import opportunities into your pipelines in GoHighLevel. Opportunities are typically deals or potential sales tied to existing or new contacts.

Key opportunity fields in GoHighLevel

Common columns for opportunities include:

• Contact Email or Phone (to link the opportunity to a contact)
• Opportunity Name
• Pipeline
• Stage
• Status (for example, Open, Won, Lost)
• Monetary Value
• Expected Close Date
• Owner or Assigned User

Make sure the Pipeline and Stage names in your CSV exactly match the names already configured in your GoHighLevel account.

Linking opportunities with contacts

To connect each opportunity with a specific contact in GoHighLevel, include at least one unique contact identifier such as:

• Email address
• Phone number

During import, GoHighLevel uses that identifier to match or create the related contact record.

Step-by-Step: Import Opportunities into GoHighLevel

Once your opportunity CSV is ready, follow a similar import process inside GoHighLevel.

1. Open your GoHighLevel dashboard.
   Log in and pick the correct location.
2. Go to Opportunities or Pipelines.
   In the left navigation, open the section where you manage pipelines and opportunity records.
3. Click Import Opportunities.
   Select the option to import opportunities or a similar button provided for deals.
4. Upload your opportunities CSV file.
   Choose the file from your computer.
5. Map opportunity columns to GoHighLevel fields.
   Match each CSV column to the appropriate opportunity field, pipeline, and stage.
6. Confirm contact matching method.
   Choose whether GoHighLevel should match opportunities to contacts using email, phone, or both.
7. Review and start the import.
   Check your mappings carefully, then confirm to begin.
8. Monitor imported opportunities.
   After processing, review your pipelines to ensure each opportunity is in the correct stage and associated with the right contact.

Troubleshooting GoHighLevel Import Errors

If something goes wrong, imports in GoHighLevel typically show error messages or skip invalid rows. Use the tips below to fix issues quickly.

Common contact import issues

• Missing required fields: Ensure each row has at least an email or phone number.
• Incorrect file format: Confirm the file is saved as .CSV, not .XLSX or another format.
• Invalid characters: Remove emojis or special characters that may break the CSV structure.
• Duplicate records: Use consistent identifiers so GoHighLevel can merge or update contacts without creating unwanted duplicates.

Common opportunity import issues

• Pipeline or stage not found: Verify the names in your CSV exactly match pipeline and stage names in GoHighLevel.
• Unmatched contacts: Make sure email or phone data exists and matches the format used in the contact records.
• Wrong value format: Check numeric fields like deal value and date fields for consistent formatting.

Best Practices for Scaling GoHighLevel Imports

When you are importing large volumes of data into GoHighLevel, using a clear workflow helps keep your account tidy and accurate.

• Test with a small file first: Import 10–20 rows before uploading your full list.
• Standardize naming conventions: Use consistent pipeline, stage, and tag names across all CSV files.
• Document your field mappings: Keep a simple reference sheet for how your CSV columns map to GoHighLevel fields.
• Schedule regular updates: If you frequently move data from other platforms, create a recurring import process.

Additional GoHighLevel Resources

For more detailed field-level requirements and screenshots, refer to the official documentation used as the source for this guide at this GoHighLevel help article.

If you need expert implementation help, optimization strategies, or CRM migration support that goes beyond basic GoHighLevel setup, you can also visit Consultevo for professional services.

By following the steps above and validating each CSV before uploading, you will be able to import contacts and opportunities into GoHighLevel reliably, maintain clean data, and keep your sales and marketing processes running smoothly.

Need Help With ClickUp?

If you want expert help building, automating, or scaling your GHL , work with ConsultEvo — trusted GoHighLevel Partners.

Scale GoHighLevel

“`