How do I format and upload a CSV file of contacts for WhatsApp messaging?

WhatsApp contacts are imported with the same CSV wizard as email, SMS, and Viber contacts, so one file can register a contact on several channels.

CSV file requirements

• The first row contains column headers; each following row is one contact.
• Values are separated by commas, the file is saved in UTF-8, and the maximum size is 100 MB.
• Phone number column: international format, starting with + and the country code. Enter the plain number without a whatsapp: prefix; Pushwoosh adds it when you map the column to WhatsApp. A number in an invalid format is skipped for that channel, and the rest of the row still imports.
• User ID column: optional, but recommended so a contact's channels share one user profile.
• Column names don't need to match these labels: you map them in the wizard. Other columns can be mapped to tags.

Upload and mapping

1. Go to Audience → Import CSV → Import Contacts and click Upload CSV. A row that can't be parsed gets the whole file rejected, and a toast names the row.
2. Enter a Segment name.
3. Under Contact column in CSV, select the phone column and choose WhatsApp as the Channel. Click + Add channel to register the same column for SMS or Viber too.
4. Under UserId column in CSV, select the user ID column, if your file has one, and map any extra columns to tags.
5. Click Start Import.

The contacts then appear as a new segment in the Segments list and in User Explorer. The completion screen shows skipped rows by reason (for example Phone number is not valid) with a Download skipped rows link.

Learn more: Import contacts