Phone number formatting is the most common cause of contact import failures. Each CRM has different requirements for parentheses, dashes, international formats, and field validation that static templates can’t accommodate.
Here’s how to handle phone number formatting automatically and avoid the trial-and-error process of template-based imports.
Format phone numbers correctly using Coefficient
Coefficient’sdata validation and direct CRM integration eliminates phone number formatting challenges by validating and formatting numbers according to your CRM’s specific requirements during the export process.
HubSpotaccepts various phone formats but standardizes them upon import, while Salesforce has different requirements. Coefficient handles these CRM-specific differences automatically, ensuring your phone data meets requirements regardless of how you initially format it.
How to make it work
Step 1. Import existing contacts to understand phone number structure.
Pull current contacts from your CRM to see exactly how phone numbers are formatted and which phone fields are available (primary, mobile, work, home). This shows you the target format without guessing.
Step 2. Set up phone number validation in your Excel spreadsheet.
Create data validation rules that check for proper phone number length and format. Use conditional formatting to highlight phone numbers that might cause import issues (too short, missing area codes, invalid characters).
Step 3. Organize phone data using your CRM’s field structure.
Structure your phone number columns to match your CRM’s available fields. If your CRM has separate fields for Mobile Phone and Work Phone, organize your data accordingly rather than trying to fit everything into one column.
Step 4. Configure export with automatic phone number validation.
Set up your export action in Coefficient with field mapping for all phone number types. The system automatically validates phone formats before export and handles CRM-specific formatting requirements.
Step 5. Test phone number formatting with a small batch.
Export 10-15 contacts first to verify that phone numbers are properly formatted and assigned to the correct fields. Check the imported contacts in your CRM to ensure formatting meets your standards.
Import phone numbers without formatting errors
Get startedAutomatic validation and CRM-specific formatting eliminates the guesswork of phone number requirements while ensuring successful imports every time.with error-free phone number imports today.