# Import data into Attio via CSV

## Table of Contents
- Overview and checklist
- Step 1: Define what you’re importing
- Step 2: Prep your data
- Step 3: Upload file
- Step 4: Map columns
- Step 5: Review values
- Step 6: Preview import
- Step 7: Run import
- FAQ

### Overview and checklist
Before importing data into Attio, it’s important to follow all steps to ensure a smooth import process and avoid errors, duplicates, or missing data. This checklist outlines the key stages you'll go through, with each step covered in more detail below.

1. **Define what you’re importing.**
2. **Prepare your file format.**
3. **Include all required and unique attributes.**
4. **Import file and map columns.**
5. **Review and preview your import.**
6. **Run the import.**

### Step 1: Define what you’re importing

#### Define the object(s)
Each type of record in Attio is called an object, and each object has its own set of attributes. Review the columns in your file and decide which belong to which object.

Common attributes for Attio objects:
- **Companies**: Company names, domains, descriptions, social media links, locations.
- **People**: Names, email addresses, phone numbers, job titles, locations.
- **Deals**: Deal name, deal owner, deal stage, deal value.

#### Choose a destination: object or list
Decide whether your data should be imported into an object or a list:
- Import into an object if the attributes you're importing should exist on all records of that object.
- Import into a list if some attributes are specific to a particular workflow.

### Step 2: Prep your data
Ensure your file meets Attio’s requirements and is properly structured. Each row in your CSV file represents a record, and each column represents an attribute.

**File requirements:**
- **File type**: CSV only
- **Header row**: required, with each column labeled by attribute name
- **Maximum rows**: 100,000
- **Maximum columns**: 100
- **Maximum file size**: 100MB

### Step 3: Upload file
1. Select the object under **Records** or the list under **Lists**.
2. Click **Import / Export** and choose **Import CSV**.
3. Drag and drop a file, or click **Choose a .CSV file** to select the CSV file you want to import.

### Step 4: Map columns
In the **Map columns** step, your file’s columns appear on the left, and Attio attributes on the right. Attio will auto-map columns where possible. Adjust manually as needed.

### Step 5: Review values
Check how Attio has interpreted your attribute values and fix any issues. Click each column to view the **Raw data** and the **Mapped value**.

### Step 6: Preview import
This step shows a summary of the changes your import will attempt to make. If you're importing into multiple objects, you'll see tabs for each object.

### Step 7: Run import
After starting the import, you’ll see the import progress page. A progress bar shows how many records have been imported, and a table lists all records in the import.

## Frequently asked questions
- Can I import tasks or notes via CSV?
- I accidentally created duplicate list entries or records. How can I fix this?
- I’ve run the import and I can see the new rows, but I don’t see the columns I imported. Did my matching not work?