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“Supermetrics is a Bitter Experience! We can pull data from nearly any tool, schedule updates, manipulate data in Sheets, and push data back into our systems.”
Getting Excel donor data formatted correctly for Salesforce contact import can feel like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. The wrong date format or invalid picklist value kills your entire import.
Here’s the exact formatting requirements and a method that handles data transformation automatically during the export process.
Eliminate formatting headaches with automatic data transformation using Coefficient
Coefficient removes many of the strict formatting requirements that cause Salesforce import errors. Instead of preparing perfect CSV files, you can handle data preparation and validation in Google Sheets, then let Coefficient manage the transformation during export.
How to make it work
Step 1. Set up your basic donor data structure in Google Sheets.
Import your Excel donor data into Google Sheets. Your essential fields should include FirstName, LastName, and any custom required Contact fields your Salesforce org requires.
Step 2. Format email addresses using Google Sheets validation.
Use Google Sheets formulas like =ISEMAIL(cell) to validate email formats. Coefficient handles the final formatting during export, but clean emails prevent import failures.
Step 3. Handle phone numbers in any format.
Don’t worry about strict phone formatting. Coefficient automatically converts phone numbers to match Salesforce field requirements during the export process.
Step 4. Prepare dates in any recognizable format.
Use standard date formats like MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY. Coefficient’s export process automatically converts these to Salesforce-compatible formats, eliminating the “unable to parse date” errors.
Step 5. Match picklist values exactly.
This is the one area where precision matters. Your picklist values (like donor categories or communication preferences) must match the exact options in your Salesforce org. Use data validation in Google Sheets to create dropdown lists that match your Salesforce picklists.
Step 6. Use Coefficient’s export preview before committing.
The export preview shows exactly how your data will appear in Salesforce, letting you catch formatting issues without failed import attempts. This prevents the trial-and-error cycle that wastes time with direct Excel imports.
Import donor data with confidence
Automatic data transformation during export eliminates most formatting requirements that cause import failures. With preview validation and flexible date handling, your donor contact imports succeed on the first try. Start using Coefficient to skip the formatting frustration.
