A CSV file is a file created in Excel or Googlesheet that has all the information you need for a person you want to connect with or message, such as first and last name, email, phone number, company name, address, LinkedIn URL, etc. Please check how to format the CSV file correctly before uploading it to Expandi here.
The maximum size for the file is 5 MB. Proper preparation of your CSV file, such as removing duplicate leads and deleting empty rows and columns, is essential for ensuring a smooth upload process.
Your CSV file should ALWAYS include a URL to a user’s LinkedIn profile; otherwise, it will not be accepted. This is because Expandi.io cannot scrape LinkedIn profiles based on names alone. Including LinkedIn URLs ensures that the system properly identifies and processes the entries.
Check out an example of the format and how your CSV file should look below:
This lead list can be added (assigned) to these types of campaigns: Connector campaign, Messenger campaign, Mobile Connector campaign, Builder campaign, Company Follow Invite campaign, Event Invite campaign.
This lead list cannot be added (assigned) to these types of campaigns: Open InMail campaign, Group campaign, Inbound campaign, Recovery campaign.
How to create a CSV lead list?
Go to the LinkedIn account menu on Expandi, Lead lists page, and click on the Upload CSV button
Drag and drop or click to upload your CSV file in the pop-up window, then click Next
Make sure your CSV file has LinkedIn profile links and is in the correct format. You can also download our CSV file template:
If the system doesn't map the fields automatically, map (match) your CSV file columns with the properties (fields) available on Expandi, and click Next to continue
The system will review your CSV file to ensure the rows and columns are properly formatted, include profile links, and are ready for import. If everything is correct, no issues will appear, and all data will be marked as valid
(Optional) If you want to assign the lead list to the campaign automatically, once the list is loaded, check the checkbox next to Auto-assign leads to campaign once the list is ready and select the campaign from the list where you'd like the list to be added
The auto-refresh list (auto-reload) feature is not available for the CSV file imports.
Click on Confirm to start the import
Now the CSV file results are being imported
Why can some leads not be imported via the CSV file?
When you upload a CSV file to Expandi, the system automatically analyzes it to determine which leads are eligible for import and which are not, along with the reasons for any exclusions.
During this review, some issues are corrected automatically. The system clearly separates leads that were fixed automatically, leads that could not be corrected, and any duplicates it detects.
Before the import begins, Expandi shows how many leads will be successfully imported and how many will be skipped, including detailed explanations of any identified issues. Please see an example below:
Based on this information, you can adjust your original CSV file to resolve the errors and ensure a smooth import on your next attempt.
You can also download a separate CSV file containing the leads with errors to simplify troubleshooting. You can do this by clicking on the Download skipped rows button:
Below is a comprehensive overview of the CSV import checks Expandi performs, along with explanations of what each exclusion reason means.
Invalid LinkedIn profile URL - incorrect/not reachable LinkedIn profile link was added.
Missing LinkedIn profile URL - some leads in the file do not have LinkedIn profile URLs added, and they are required in order for the leads to be imported.
Localized LinkedIn URL not supported - if your CSV file contains any localized LinkedIn links, they won't work, so links like au.linkedin or linkedin.de, for example.
Duplicate rows within file - if your CSV file has multiple rows named the same way, the system will detect the duplicated row and inform you about it with this error.
Already in campaign - if you are adding your CSV file directly in the campaign, not in the 'Lead lists' page, and some of the leads from your CSV file are already a part of any campaign, the system will detect that and won't add the same leads to the current campaign. Since you can't duplicate leads between campaigns or company campaigns (unless the setting for it is enabled).
Field values exceed maximum length 300 characters - if you're importing dynamic placeholder (custom messages) with your CSV file and the custom field character length exceeded the 300-character limit, this error will appear. Please make sure that your custom field content is not longer than 300 characters; otherwise, that information won't be imported to Expandi.
You can find more information on how to troubleshoot your CSV file in the 'How to Ensure Correct CSV Format?' article.
If you have any more questions, please get in touch with Customer Support!