Comma-separated values (CSV) file format is the most common and easily understood way to manage generic data. A CSV file is simply a straight text file in which each row of text is a contact (in our case). Data in each row is separated by commas and optionally enclosed in quotes. A simple CSV file looks something like this:

“first name”, “last name”, “company”
“John”, “Jackson”, “ABC Inc.”
“Mary”, “Smith”, “Widgets LLC.”

Microsoft Outlook, ACT, Excel and just about every other software application can export its data in CSV format. More detail about CSV can be found “here“.

How does PlaybookIQ support CSV?

Because CSV is so common and flexible, PlaybookIQ supports import of contacts from generic CSV files so you can quickly move contacts from another application to into into PlaybookIQ.

Here is what it looks like:

Step 1: Prepare your data for import.

The import feature leads you through the process step-by-step. The first step is simply to review your data file to ensure it is a valid CSV file. Step 1 describes what a valid file is so that you can visually review your file before proceeding.

Step 2: Select your import file.

PlaybookIQ imports files from your local computer. In Step 2, you simply tell PlaybookIQ which local file you want to use.

Step 3: Upload file for parsing and inspection of field names

In this step, PlaybookIQ reads your file and attempts to match data to PlaybookIQ fields. The process of matching your data to contact fields is called ‘mapping’.

Step 4: Map fields

For fields that PlaybookIQ could not automatically map, you are prompted to determine the mapping. For data that you wish to exclude from the import, you simply leave the mapping field blank.

Done!

From here, you can now perform the standard bulk-tasks to the newly imported contacts:

add a tag, assign to a playbook, add a task

We are excited about this new, flexible import feature.

Here is the new screen, that has a more pleasing look and some additional functionality.

The new search results screen:

Shows total number of contacts returned from the search.


Shows number of contacts clicked, in real-time.
As before, you can then take action on each contact checked. The new feedback as you check and uncheck contacts simply makes it more clear what impact you will make when taking an action on the checked items.


Previously, you add a tag, remove a tag, assign to playbook, or add a task to up to one page worth of results at a time. Now, you can click “Show all” to change from page view to complete list view of your results, allowing you to perform tasks on all contacts ‘with city of Denver’, for example.

Allows for mass management of all contacts in the search result.

We think these changes make creating lists and segmenting your contacts a little bit easier. Find out more at http://playbookiq.com.