Skip to main content

Import Templates

Creating an Import Template

An Import Template is a saved mapping configuration used to process structured recipient data files in PostUp.

Import Templates are used for automated data transfer into PostUp either through SFTP, API, or Amazon S3.. For the API, the use case is when passing batch, high-volume recipient data into PostUp.

An Import Template defines how incoming data should be processed, including:

  • Field mapping
  • Duplicate record handling
  • List subscriptions
  • Suppression and purge rules
  • Optional import-and-send behavior

Import Templates are commonly used to:

  • Process recurring FTP or SFTP recipient files
  • Map columns from CSV, TXT, or TSV files to PostUp recipient fields
  • Support high-volume batch imports through the REST API or SOAP API
  • Trigger a Send Template after an import completes

 

Create an Import Template

  1. Navigate to Settings > Import Templates.
  2. Click Create New Import Template.
  3. Select the appropriate Delivery Channel. (Email or SMS)
  4. Choose the desired Import Type.

For standard recipient imports, select Standard.

Other import types are available for importing suppression lists, invalid addresses, and other specialized data.

 

Upload a Sample File

Import Templates use a sample file to determine the file structure and configure field mappings.

You can provide data by:

  • Uploading a .csv, .txt, or .tsv file.
  • Pasting recipient data directly into the Text Import field.

Note: Microsoft Excel (.xlsx) files are not supported directly. Save the file as a CSV before importing.

The Text Import option is intended for smaller imports of up to 1,000 recipient records.

Click Next to continue.

 

Verify the File Format

PostUp analyzes the uploaded file and displays a preview.

Verify that:

  • The correct delimiter has been detected.
  • The data is separated into the expected columns.
  • The preview displays your data correctly.

If necessary, select a different delimiter and refresh the preview before continuing.

 

 

Map Recipient Fields

Assign each column in your source file to the appropriate PostUp recipient field.

Typical mappings include:

  • Email Address
  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Source Description
  • Custom Profile Attributes

Accurate field mapping ensures recipient data is imported correctly and can be used for personalization, segmentation, and reporting.

Best Practice: Store date fields using the YYYY-MM-DD format to ensure consistent segmentation and reporting.

 

Configure Import Settings

The Import Settings section controls how PostUp processes imported recipient records.

Import Title

Assign a descriptive name to the Import Template.

Comments

Optionally record notes describing the purpose of the template.

Signup Method

Specify how recipients were collected.

Source Description

Identify where the imported recipient data originated.

Examples include:

  • Website Signup
  • Event Registration
  • Trade Show
  • Partner Import

If every record originated from the same source, enter it here.

If each record has a different source, map the Source Description field during field mapping instead.

If you selected Merge, Overwriting Old Data, a checkbox will be available next to Source Description for Keep Existing Source Description.  This allows you to retain or overwrite the source description on the recipient profile.

 

Duplicate Handling

Duplicate Handling determines how recipient profile fields are updated when an imported recipient already exists.

Available options include:

  • Merge, Keeping Old Data – Only populate profile fields that are currently blank.
  • Merge, Overwriting Old Data – Replace existing profile field values with the imported values.
  • Skip – Ignore existing recipients and do not update their profile.

Important: Duplicate Handling only affects recipient profile information. It does not determine whether an existing recipient is subscribed to the mailing lists selected during the import.

Administrator Setting: Whether existing recipients are automatically re-subscribed to mailing lists is controlled by a site-level configuration. In most PostUp environments, recipients are not automatically re-subscribed unless this option has been enabled by a PostUp administrator.

 

Notifications

Optionally receive an email notification when the import:

  • Completes successfully
  • Fails unexpectedly

 

Validation Options

The following options are enabled by default and should generally remain selected:

  • Block Wireless Domains
  • Fix Invalid Addresses

 

Configure Automation (Optional)

Automation settings allow an Import Template to process files automatically without manual intervention.

Import files can be retrieved from a remote server you have configured within PostUp.

Automation options include:

  • File location
  • Filename pattern
  • PGP encryption
  • Duplicate file detection
  • File processing after import (delete, rename, or leave unchanged)

You can also configure the Import Template to automatically trigger a Send Template after a successful import, allowing fully automated import-and-send workflows.

 

Configure Mailing Lists

Determine how imported recipients should be associated with mailing lists.

Options include:

  • Add recipients to existing mailing lists
  • Create a new mailing list
  • Associate a new list with a Brand
  • Assign a Friendly Title
  • Designate the list as a Test List
  • Mark recipients as Confirmed Opt-In

If creating a new mailing list, you may also enable a Welcome Message by selecting an existing Send Template.

 

Configure Purge and Suppression Lists

Optionally exclude recipients from the import.

Purge Against Existing Lists

Prevent recipients from being imported if they already belong to selected mailing lists.

Scrub Against Suppression Lists

Remove recipients found on selected suppression lists before the import is processed.

These options help maintain clean recipient data and prevent unwanted subscriptions.

 

 

Powered by Zendesk