Why It Matters

Why Exporting Your Contacts the Right Way Matters

Migrating your existing contact data into Salesboom CRM is the critical first step. Doing it incorrectly results in broken imports, missing data, and wasted time. Here are the mistakes to avoid.

Wrong File Format

Exporting in a proprietary format instead of CSV or text-delimited means Salesboom cannot read the file. Always choose CSV (Comma Separated Values) as the output format.

Missing Field Name Header Row

Forgetting to include field names in the export header row means Salesboom cannot map your columns during import. Always check the "export field names" option when available.

Wrong Field Separator

Using tabs or semicolons instead of commas as delimiters breaks the CSV structure. Set the field separator to Comma specifically — not the default — in your export settings.

Incomplete Record Export

Exporting only a filtered subset instead of all contacts means you\'ll have gaps in Salesboom from day one. Always select All Records unless you intentionally want a partial migration.

Skipping CSV Verification

Not verifying the CSV structure before importing into Salesboom leads to mapping errors that are far harder to fix after the fact. Always open the file in a text editor first.

Merged Fields Without Comma Separation

If First Name and Last Name share a cell without a comma between them, Salesboom treats them as one field. The result is unreadable names that require manual cleanup after import.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step-by-Step Export Instructions by Platform

Choose your platform and follow each step in order. All exports should produce a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file ready for import into Salesboom.

ACT! (Version 4.0 or 2000)

Launch ACT! and open the File menu.
Select Data Exchange > Export.
Choose Text-Delimited as the field type.
Enter a filename and choose a save location. Click Next.
Select Contact Records Only.
Click Options and set the field separator to Comma.
Check "Yes, export field names". Click OK.
Click Next, then select All Records. Click Next.
Click Finish to begin the export.

Microsoft Outlook

Launch Outlook and go to File > Import and Export.
Select Export to a file. Click Next.
Choose Comma Separated Values (Windows). Click Next.
Select the folder containing your contacts — typically the Contacts folder. Click Next.
Enter a filename for the exported file and click Next.
Click Finish to begin the export.

The resulting CSV contains all contact fields from your selected folder and is ready for Salesboom import.

GoldMine 4.0

Launch GoldMine 4.0 and go to Tools > Export Records.
Select Export to a new file, then choose DBF file. Click Next.
Select the fields to export from the left list. Click Add Field for each. Click Next.
Choose the save location for the export file. Click Next.
When prompted to save settings, select No. Click Next.
Click Finish.

The exported DBF file is in a CSV-compatible format for Salesboom import.

GoldMine 5.0

Launch GoldMine 5.0.
Go to Tools > Import/Export Wizard > Export Contact Records.
Select Export to a new file, then choose ASCII file. Click Next.
In the drop-down list, select ALL Contact Records! Click Next.
Select fields from the left list. Click Add Field for each. Click Next.
Choose save location, check "Export GoldMine field names". Click Next.
When prompted to save settings, select No. Click Next.
Click Finish.

The file will have a .txt extension but contains properly formatted CSV data compatible with Salesboom.

Palm Desktop

Open the Palm Desktop Address Book. To export specific contacts, select those records first.
Go to File > Export.
Enter a filename and choose a save location.
From the "Export as" drop-down, select Comma Separated (*.csv;*.txt).
Choose All to export all contacts, or Currently selected records for a subset.
Click Export.
In the Specify Export Fields dialog, select the Address Book fields to include.
Click OK to begin the export.

Other Data Sources

In your current software, locate the data export or data exchange option.
Choose CSV, comma-delimited, or comma-separated values as the export format.
Save the file and open it to verify the structure.
Confirm each data field is separated by a comma. Unmerged first and last names are essential.
Once verified, upload the CSV file to your Salesboom account using the standard import tool.

If unsure whether your software supports CSV export, contact your Salesboom onboarding specialist for guidance.

Before You Import

Before You Import: How to Verify Your CSV File

Before uploading your exported file to Salesboom, take two minutes to verify its structure. A poorly formatted CSV will cause field mapping errors or failed imports — these checks prevent that.

Open in Plain Text Editor

Open the file in Notepad or TextEdit — not Excel — to see the raw format and confirm the comma-separation is correct.

First Row Has Field Names

Confirm the first row contains field names such as First Name, Last Name, Email, Phone — not data values.

Values Separated by Commas

Each value must be separated by a comma — not a tab or semicolon. Check several rows to confirm consistency throughout the file.

Commas in Values Use Quotes

Fields containing commas must be wrapped in quotation marks (e.g., "Smith, John") or they will be split into separate fields during import.

No Blank Rows at Top

Ensure there are no blank rows at the top of the file before the header row — these cause import errors and misaligned field mapping.

File Extension is .csv or .txt

Verify the file is saved with a .csv or .txt extension. Salesboom accepts both — other extensions may cause upload errors.

After Import

Why Import Your Contacts into Salesboom CRM?

Once your contacts are in Salesboom, you unlock a unified platform that replaces every disconnected system you were using before. All your customer data lives in one intelligent, AI-powered environment.

360-Degree Contact View

Every contact\'s complete interaction history — calls, cases, emails, opportunities, and notes — lives in one unified record. Any team member has full context from the moment they open a contact.

AI-Powered Automation

Automated follow-ups, ticket routing, and opportunity alerts ensure no contact falls through the cracks after import — Salesboom\'s AI works continuously to keep your pipeline moving.

Native Outlook & QuickBooks Integration

No duplicate data entry — Salesboom integrates natively with Outlook and QuickBooks, keeping your communications and financial data synchronized with your CRM contacts automatically.

Real-Time Dashboards

Pipeline health, service performance, and revenue trends visualized in real-time dashboards — so decisions are based on live data, not last week\'s export sitting in someone\'s inbox.

Self-Service Customer Portal

Customers can manage their own service requests, track cases, and access account information through a branded self-service portal — reducing inbound support volume significantly.

Mobile CRM with Offline Sync

Field teams access full contact records, log interactions, and update opportunities from any mobile device — with offline sync capability so no data is lost in low-connectivity environments.

Scales from 5 to 5,000 Users

No architecture changes required as your team grows — Salesboom scales seamlessly whether you add five users this quarter or five hundred over the next three years.

Sales, Service & Marketing Unified

All three teams work from the same contact records — no re-importing data between platforms, no conflicting records, no version control headaches between departments.

Quarterly AI Updates at No Extra Cost

Salesboom delivers quarterly AI-driven platform updates automatically — new automation capabilities, reporting features, and integrations at no additional charge, keeping your CRM ahead of competitors.

Why Salesboom

The Salesboom Advantage: Why Businesses Choose Us for CRM Migration

With 22+ years of CRM innovation, Salesboom makes contact migration and onboarding straightforward — and keeps delivering value long after import day.

Guided Onboarding Support

Real CRM specialists — not chatbots — guide you through data import, field mapping, and initial setup. Available 24/7, they\'ve handled thousands of migrations across every platform imaginable.

Universal CSV Compatibility

Salesboom accepts CSV exports from any source — ACT!, Outlook, GoldMine, Palm Desktop, Salesforce, HubSpot, Zoho, and more. If it exports CSV, Salesboom imports it.

Unified Platform After Import

Sales, service, and marketing all run on one platform after import — no need to re-export or re-import data between tools. Your contacts become the foundation for your entire business operation.

Transparent Pricing

No hidden migration fees, no vendor lock-in — predictable monthly pricing starting at $14/user. The price you see is the price you pay, with no surprise charges for import assistance.

Proven at Scale

3,500+ businesses across 159 countries have successfully migrated their data to Salesboom — from solo operators with a few hundred contacts to enterprises with hundreds of thousands of records.

Continuous Innovation

Quarterly AI-powered updates delivered at no extra cost, so your CRM grows smarter over time. Your investment in migration pays dividends through continuously improving automation and intelligence.

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions: Exporting Contacts to Salesboom CRM

Common questions about CSV export formats, field mapping, import limits, and onboarding support for new Salesboom customers.

Salesboom requires a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file. Each field must be separated by a comma, and the first row should contain field names such as First Name, Last Name, Email, and Phone. Most contact management platforms — including ACT!, Outlook, GoldMine, and Palm Desktop — can export directly to this format.

Yes. Any application that can export data to a CSV or comma-delimited text file is compatible with Salesboom\'s import tool. If your platform is not listed in this guide, use its general data export feature and save the file in CSV format before importing.

If fields are not properly comma-separated, Salesboom will treat multiple values as a single field. For example, if "First Name" and "Last Name" are not separated by a comma, they will be imported as one combined field and will not map correctly. Always verify your CSV structure in a plain text editor before importing.

You can export as many or as few fields as you need. At minimum, we recommend including First Name, Last Name, Email Address, and Phone Number. Additional fields such as Company, Address, and Notes can be included and mapped during the import process inside Salesboom.

Salesboom does not impose a strict contact import limit for standard accounts. For very large datasets (tens of thousands of records), we recommend splitting the CSV into smaller batches of 5,000–10,000 rows to ensure a smooth and verifiable import. Contact your Salesboom specialist for guidance on bulk migrations.

Salesboom provides a field mapping interface during the import process, allowing you to match your CSV column names to the correct Salesboom fields. If you need assistance, our People-as-a-Service support team is available 24/7 and can guide you through the mapping step by step.

Yes. Salesboom allows you to import leads directly as part of a targeted marketing campaign, streamlining your outreach setup. During the import process, you can associate the imported records with an active campaign so they are enrolled in the correct nurture sequence from the moment they enter your CRM.

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Get Started

Ready to Import Your Contacts and Start Growing with Salesboom?

Export your contacts using the guide above, then log in to your Salesboom account to begin your import. Not yet a customer? Book a free demo and let our specialists handle the migration for you.

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