Editing and Updating Contact Records

This article covers how to update existing contact records in the Database. Use the single-record edit workflow when one contact's information has changed. Use a CSV import when you need to correct or add data across many records at once.

Editing a Single Record

To edit a single record, follow this path: Database > scroll to Contact List > search for the contact > click the three-dot menu > Edit.

Once you click Edit, the record opens in a view labeled "Import Contact" at the top of the screen. Despite the label, this is the correct screen for editing an existing record. The fields shown correspond to those configured in your Database (see Setting Up Standard and Custom Fields in the Dashboard). The Primary Interest field uses a typeahead input; begin typing to see matching options (see Primary Interests: Foundational to Segmentation). To save your changes, click the blue Update Contact button at the bottom of the screen.

If a contact's email address has changed, you can update it directly on this screen. The existing record and all associated data will be preserved under the new email address.

The three-dot menu also includes two additional actions:

  • To suppress a contact, select Move to Suppression List. The contact will no longer receive communications sent through Interaction. For details, see Manage Your Suppression List.
  • To permanently remove a contact, select Delete. A confirmation prompt will appear. This action cannot be undone, and the contact's record will be removed from the Database, including any list or segment membership.

Keeping individual records accurate ensures that segments built on those fields reflect current data, and that communications sent through Interaction reach the correct address.

Updating Multiple Records via CSV Import

To update many records at once, use a CSV import. For the full import workflow, including file preparation, field matching, and sanitization, see Importing Contacts into the Database. The guidance below covers only the considerations specific to updating existing records.

The two most common scenarios for bulk updates are: correcting formatting errors from a previous import, or appending additional data to existing records.

On the Review Import screen, select Update Existing Contacts to ensure the system matches your CSV data to existing records rather than creating duplicates.

Whenever you are importing updates, it is important you keep the email column in your CSV file as that will tie the new information to records.  

Never import empty cells unless you want to remove the information from the profile and your Database.

Importing a CSV with empty cells in a field will remove the existing data in that field for matched contacts. Only include columns you intend to update.

If you are not changing a field, remove that column from your CSV before importing.

Bulk updates are especially useful after cleaning data in an external tool or after receiving updated information, since corrections propagate to any segments or lists that reference the updated fields.

After your upload is complete, you will see a confirmation message.


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