Prepare a Spreadsheet for Import

Before accessing an Excel file for use in the Import Prospects utility, you will need to perform all of the following steps to ensure the information imports correctly.

  1. Open the spreadsheet in Excel outside of TAM.
  2. To expand any collapsed columns so you can view all data in the spreadsheet, click the Select All button (found in the upper left corner of the worksheet between the row 1 header and column A header). On the Home options bar, click Format > AutoFit Column Width.
  3. With all data selected, click Clear > Clear Formats.
  4. If the spreadsheet contains a header row, delete that row so that it is not imported as a prospect.
  5. Delete any additional rows or columns that you do not wish to include in the import.
  6. Write down the information listed in each column (e.g. Column A = Name, Column B = Street, Column C = city, etc.). You will need this information when you create data definitions during the import process. Consult this list to see what fields are available for import.
  7. Ensure that all phone numbers are in the following format: ###-###-####. Other formats, such as (###)###-#### and ##########, will not import correctly. To format a column, select the column, click Format > Format Cells, and select Custom. In the Type field, enter ###-###-####. Click OK to reformat all phone numbers in the column.
  8. Ensure that all social security numbers are in the following format: #########. Other formats, such as ###-##-####, will not import correctly. If your social security numbers contain hyphens, perform the following steps in order to remove them:
    1. Select the column containing social security numbers.
    2. Click Find & Select > Replace. The Find and Replace window displays.
    3. On the Find tab, enter - in the Find what: field.
    4. On the Replace tab, do not enter anything in the Replace with: field. Click Replace All. All hyphens are removed from the selected column.
  9. Save your updated file. If you save it under a different filename than the original, make sure that the updated version is used for the prospect import.