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Import data into CRM: Importing your CRM data without leaving Gmail

Import data into CRM: Importing your CRM data without leaving Gmail

6
min read
Overview:
Overview:

Your CRM is only as useful as the data in it. Getting started with a pipeline full of data can set your team on the right track from the beginning, and regularly importing data from lead sources, CRM systems, and other tools ensures you never miss an opportunity in your pipelines.

Our new importer is built directly into Streak and helps you clean and import your data in a simple interface without leaving Gmail. In just a few minutes, you can fill your pipeline with data and get to work in your CRM. 

Key features of the Streak importer

Although importing your data without leaving Gmail is a big win on its own, we built in a number of useful features that help you review data, add it to your pipelines, and manage sharing settings more easily. 

Import multiple file types from your pipeline

Our new importer gives you more options to import your data using multiple file types. This makes it easier to export data from another tool into your Streak pipelines without copying and pasting or converting file types. 

The three options for file types to import into Streak via the import data wizard

We now support the three most common file types for data import: 

  • Google Sheets
  • CSV file
  • Excel file

Easier data clean-up

For better or for worse, cleaning your data is a dreaded step in most imports (unless you nailed it on the first try—go you!). Our new importer helps you quickly and efficiently fix errors in your data so you can continue with a successful import. 

Formatting errors surfaced in the spreadsheet and suggestions to fix them with one click.

The “All errors” sidebar brings formatting issues, blank cells, and other data management dilemmas to your attention in one place, so you don't have to search and click around the spreadsheet looking for issues. Quickly surface errors and fix them directly in the spreadsheet, delete unwanted rows or use the find-and-replace tool to make bulk fixes throughout your spreadsheet.

For common errors like date formatting, the importer identifies issues and suggests the correct format. All you have to do is approve the change with one click. 

Intelligent mapping

When you run an import, the importer matches the columns in your spreadsheet to the columns in your pipeline and fills in or updates your CRM with new data. 

Data mapping spreadsheet columns to pipeline columns.

The new importer uses automatic mapping of your data by intelligently guessing which columns in your import file should match each pipeline column. For example, it recognizes that a column called “First name” in your import file should be mapped to “Given name” in Streak. 

The importer also remembers your previous mapping selections, saving you time if you run the same type of import more than once. You can also use this to regularly update existing records, such as boxes with new data.

Of course, you'll have the final say on how your data maps into Streak and can adjust as needed. 

Auto-create new columns

Each column in the spreadsheet that you want to import needs to map to a pipeline column. If you're importing data that doesn't already exist in your pipeline, you can create a new pipeline column directly from the importer tool as needed.

Adding a new pipeline column and selecting the data type.

Without leaving the importer tool, you can name the column headings and specify what type of data it contains—freeform, drop-down list, checkbox, date, etc. This saves you valuable time preparing your pipeline for the import and cross-referencing your data.

Set email-sharing preferences for contacts and organizations

The new importer gives you the option to automatically share emails with your team when you add contacts and organizations to your pipeline. 

The "include all emails" option toggled on for automatic email sharing.

Turn on email sharing for contacts and organizations to automatically pull all of your team's emails with that person or company into the box timeline. If your team members haven't already given permission to share their emails with the person or company, you'll see that unshared emails exist and be able to request access. 

This applies to previous and future emails, so you'll have a complete interaction history for each contact and organization available in your pipelines as soon as you import your contacts and organizations.

How to use the Streak importer to add data to your CRM

Once you have your import file prepared in either a Google Sheet, Excel spreadsheet, or CSV format you can access the importer right inside Streak - no additional apps or tools required.

Pipeline menu with the "import" option highlighted

From the pipeline view, click the pipeline menu in the pipeline toolbar and select Import

Streak sidebar in a pipeline view with the "Import data" option highlighted

You can also open the Streak sidebar from the pipeline view and click Import data.

Now you're ready to import your data in 3 steps. 

1. Select your import file

The three options for file types to import

Tell Streak whether your imported data will be in a Google Sheet, CSV file, or Excel spreadsheet, and select the correct file. 

2. Map the data columns to your pipeline

A screenshot of the map columns step of the streak importer

Once you choose a header row, the importer intelligently maps the columns in your import file to your pipeline. Review the mapping and make any necessary changes.

If your pipeline doesn't already have a column you need, you can also create new pipeline columns during this step.  

3. Review and finalize data

Formatting errors that surfaced in the spreadsheet and suggestions to fix them with one click.

Review any errors and make updates across your spreadsheet right from the importer sidebar. Approve suggested updates and make changes with one click, or use the find and replace tool to make your own changes. 

Once you're happy with your data, click Import Now to import your data into the Streak pipeline. 

Need help importing your data?

Looking for a proper CRM tool that allows you to import your data seamlessly without all the headaches?

Try Streak for free.

It only takes 30 seconds to get started.

Feel free to learn more about our pipeline importer and find instructions in our knowledge base.

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