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

# Import Candidate CSV

> Bulk add candidates to Spott from a CSV or Excel file with the guided import wizard.

The import wizard lets you bulk add candidates to Spott, for example when migrating
from another system or uploading a sourcing list. Each row in your file becomes one
candidate. You can import **up to 1,000 records** per import, from **CSV or Excel
(.xlsx)** files.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/spott-docs/p014P0_PfappR2TU/images/candidates/import-wizard-upload.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=p014P0_PfappR2TU&q=85&s=953c7ae20c2580c0b86d6753b8aac144" alt="The import wizard upload step" width="1600" height="956" data-path="images/candidates/import-wizard-upload.webp" />
</Frame>

## Start an import

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the Candidates page">
    Navigate to **Candidates** from the main sidebar.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open Import / Export">
    In the top right corner, click **Import / Export**, then select **Import from CSV**.
    This opens the import wizard. Admins can also reach it from **Settings**.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Upload your file">
    Select the CSV or Excel file from your computer. Spott analyzes the file and
    prepares it for import.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/spott-docs/p014P0_PfappR2TU/images/candidates/import-export-menu.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=p014P0_PfappR2TU&q=85&s=bbe43506beee46fdee98fa10093348a7" alt="The Import / Export menu on the Candidates page" width="1600" height="956" data-path="images/candidates/import-export-menu.webp" />
</Frame>

## Map columns to candidate attributes

Spott reads your column names and sample data and **suggests a mapping for each
column automatically**. Review the suggestions and adjust where needed. For each
column you can:

* Accept the suggested Spott field
* Pick a different **Spott field**, including custom fields your workspace has configured
* Set a **fixed value** for all imported records
* **Skip the column** so it is not imported

Skipped and unmapped columns are ignored.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/spott-docs/p014P0_PfappR2TU/images/candidates/import-wizard-mapping.webp?fit=max&auto=format&n=p014P0_PfappR2TU&q=85&s=fd69f9b38a962a8f1a7662038cb3ce9c" alt="The column mapping step with AI-suggested mappings" width="1600" height="871" data-path="images/candidates/import-wizard-mapping.webp" />
</Frame>

## Complete the import

Before you start, choose whether the rows are **Candidates** or **Contacts**, and
optionally **add them all to a List or a Job** in the same step. Then confirm to start
the import. Spott creates a candidate
record for every row. After the import completes, your candidates appear on the
Candidates page and can be searched, filtered, exported, and added to Lists.

## Tips for successful imports

* Include at least one unique identifier per candidate. **Email or LinkedIn URL is
  recommended**, so Spott can deduplicate against existing records.
* Map first name and last name for clean candidate records.
* Remove empty rows before uploading.
* Use UTF-8 encoding for CSV files for best compatibility.
* Double check email and phone mappings to avoid data landing in the wrong field.
* Importing a CSV into a job adds the candidates as applications, but **cannot set their
  application status or add comments**. Set those in the pipeline after the import.

<Note>
  A LinkedIn URL column imports the link to the candidate's profile, not the profile
  content itself. To pull in full LinkedIn profile data, use the
  [Chrome extension](/docs/settings/chrome-extension)
  or enrichment after the import.
</Note>