> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.broadstripes.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Data import overview

> The complete data import journey in Broadstripes, from preparing your spreadsheet to analyzing the results, with links to detailed guides for each step.

Data import brings worker lists into Broadstripes so you can begin organizing, and it updates existing Broadstripes records with new data from employer lists or other union databases (for example, dues and membership systems).

This page maps the whole journey from beginning to end. Each step links to a detailed guide.

<Warning>
  **Imports are permanent.** Once an import has run, there is no way to roll it back. You can [preview every import before running it](/docs/data-import-admin/import-a-spreadsheet#preview-the-results), and you can delete an import that hasn't run yet — but after it runs, the changes are in your data. If an import produced unexpected results, contact Broadstripes support to talk through your options.
</Warning>

## Who can import data?

Project **admins** can always run data imports. **Basic users** can run them only if an admin has granted them the **Can perform data imports** permission on their membership. See [User roles and permissions](/docs/start-project/user-roles-and-permissions).

## The import process, step by step

<Steps>
  <Step title="Prepare your data">
    Get your data into a spreadsheet (XLS, XLSX, or CSV), clean it up, and name the column headers so Broadstripes can recognize them. See [Prepare your data for import](/docs/data-import-admin/data-sources) and the [data import fields reference](/docs/data-import-admin/data-import-fields).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Set up your project to receive the data">
    Create any custom fields, external systems, and events **before** importing so their spreadsheet columns can be mapped. See [Set up a project](/docs/start-project/set-up-a-project).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload the spreadsheet and map its columns">
    Create a new data import, upload your file, and tell Broadstripes which field each spreadsheet column belongs in. See [Import a spreadsheet](/docs/data-import-admin/import-a-spreadsheet).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose what the import should do (create, update, or both)">
    A first import usually creates new records. Later imports often **match** rows to existing contacts to update them instead of creating duplicates. See [Update existing contacts with an import](/docs/data-import-admin/update-contacts-with-an-import).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview, then run">
    Click **Preview** to see exactly what the import will do — how many people and organizations will be created or updated, plus any warnings, errors, and skips — before you commit. When the preview looks right, run the import now or schedule it for later.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Analyze the results">
    Review what happened: counts of contacts created and matched, rows that were skipped, and drill-downs to the affected records. See [Analyze import results](/docs/data-import-admin/analyze-import-results).
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Tips and tricks

These articles help with common data preparation and import tasks:

* [Splitting names into separate columns for import](/docs/data-import-admin/splitting-names-for-import)
* [Changing phone contact info in bulk](/docs/data-import-admin/changing-phone-contact-info-in-bulk)
* [Converting custom fields to external systems](/docs/data-import-admin/converting-custom-fields-to-external-systems)