Funnel Guide for Leads

Table of Contents:

CSV Lead Import Guide

Importing Leads in Bulk via CSV:

How agents add many contacts to Switchboard Funnel at once by uploading a single CSV file, mapping columns to Funnel fields, assigning a lead type and status, validating the data, and completing the import.

Purpose:

Agents now have the ability to import leads in bulk using a CSV file. Instead of adding contacts one at a time, you upload a single spreadsheet, tell Funnel which column belongs in which field, set how the leads should be categorized, review the results, and import. This guide walks through preparing the file and completing the import end to end.

Before You Begin:

Your file must be a CSV with a header row that names each column. Confirm your file meets these limits before you upload.

Part A. Prepare Your CSV File:

Start from the provided template so your columns line up with the fields Funnel expects.

STEP 1   Start from the Sample Funnel CSV template (Click download to open in Excel )

Open the Sample Funnel CSV template. Each header in the top row, for example First Name, Last Name, tells you what data belongs in that column. Keep the header row intact so Funnel can recognize your columns during import.

The Sample Funnel CSV template, showing the header row and an example contact record.

STEP 2   Make your own editable copy or download

Create your own version to work in. Open the File menu and choose Make a copy.

The File menu, where you can make a copy of the template or download it later.

Name your copy, choose a folder such as My Drive, and click Make a copy. Then enter your lead data into the copy, following the existing column headers.

The Copy document dialog. Name the file and click Make a copy.

STEP 3   Download your file as a CSV

When your data is complete, open the File menu, choose Download, then select Comma Separated Values (.csv). The file saves to your computer, ready to upload.

File, then Download, then Comma Separated Values (.csv).

Part B. Import Your Leads Into Funnel

The importer guides you through six steps: Upload File, Map Fields, Lead Type, Statuses, Preview, and Import.

STEP 1   Open Import Leads and upload your file

In Switchboard Funnel, open the left navigation bar. Below Dashboard, click Import Leads to open the Import Leads via CSV screen.

Click Browse Files to locate the CSV file on your computer, or drag the file directly into the upload area. The same upload limits apply here: 10 MB maximum, 50,000 records maximum, and 50 custom field columns maximum.

The Import Leads via CSV screen. Use Browse Files or drag and drop to upload.

STEP 2   Map your header columns

On the Map Header Columns screen, the left side shows the headers pulled from your CSV file, and the right side shows the Funnel field each one will map to.

• Required Fields appear first. First Name, Last Name, and Cell Phone must be mapped for the import to work, and show as Completed once matched.
• Map Remaining Columns appears below. Funnel matches many columns for you and tags them as automatically mapped.

Map Header Columns. Required fields are completed; remaining columns are mapped automatically.

If a column is not mapped, or you want to change a mapping, click the Funnel field box, then search or scroll to find the field that matches the intent of your data. Use the Sort by control to group columns by mapped or unmapped so you can quickly find anything still open, and order the upload priority as needed.

Click a Funnel field box to search and select the correct field for that column.

When every column is mapped correctly, click Next: Lead Type.

All remaining columns mapped. Continue with Next: Lead Type.

STEP 3   Assign or map the lead type

If your CSV did not include a lead type column, choose a single type that will apply to all imported leads from the Select Type list.

Assign Lead Type. Choose one type for all leads when no lead type column was mapped.

If your CSV did include a lead type column, Funnel shows each CSV value next to the Funnel lead type it will map to. Adjust any mapping if needed, then click Next: Map Statuses.

Map Lead Types. Match each CSV value to a Funnel lead type.

STEP 4   Assign or map the lead status

If your CSV did not include a status column, choose a single starting status for all imported leads from the Select Status list, for example New.

Assign Lead Status. Choose a starting status for all leads when none was mapped.

If your CSV did include status values, Funnel lists each unique value so you can map it to a matching system status. When finished, click Next: Preview Data.

Map Statuses. Match each CSV status value to a Funnel status.

STEP 5   Preview and validate your data

The Data Validation Preview shows how your import will land before anything is saved. Three counters summarize the results.

• Ready leads will import cleanly.
• Duplicates are records already in Funnel.
• Errors usually mean a value does not match the format the Funnel field expects.

A common error is the date of birth. Confirm your dates use a two digit month, two digit day, and four digit year (MM/DD/YYYY) so they import properly. When the preview looks correct, click the import button, for example Import 1 Valid Rows, to validate and run the import.

Data Validation Preview, with counts for Ready, Duplicates, and Errors.

STEP 6   Complete the import

Funnel processes the file and reports the results, showing how many Leads Imported and how many Rows Skipped due to bad, corrupted, or incorrectly mapped data. To bring in more leads, click Import Another File.

Import Complete, with totals for Leads Imported and Rows Skipped.

STEP 7   Verify your import

Return to your Dashboard, open the leads you just imported, and scroll through a few records to confirm the data came in accurately and matches what you intended.

Common Errors to Check:

• Date of birth not in MM/DD/YYYY format, the most frequent cause of a skipped row.
• A required field (First Name, Last Name, or Cell Phone) left unmapped.
• A column mapped to the wrong Funnel field; review intent before importing.
• Duplicate records already present in Funnel, flagged in the preview.

Quick Recap: CSV Lead Import Guide:

• Copy the template, enter your data, and download as .csv.
• Upload, then map every column; the three required fields must match.
• Set the lead type and status, either per record from your file or once for the whole batch.
• Preview, clear any errors, import, and verify on the Dashboard.

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Add Lead Guide

Add Lead Guide:

How users add a single Contact to their account using the Add Lead feature, and how the Contact's attributes route them into the right Lists.

Purpose:

Contacts can be added as a single lead using the Add Lead feature. This guide covers opening the Add Lead form, completing the required fields, and how the selected attributes place the Contact into Lists automatically.

STEP 1   Open Add Lead

Click the Add Lead button at the top of the My Leads section of the Dashboard.

The Add Lead button at the top of My Leads.

STEP 2   Complete the Required Fields

Complete all required fields for the Contact and click the Add Lead button. The Contact is added to the User's account and to any List associated with the attributes, such as Lead Type or Status, selected.

The Add Lead form, with required fields marked.

Quick Recap: Add Lead Guide:

• Add Lead creates a single Contact directly from the Dashboard.
• Required fields must be completed before the Contact can be added.
• The Lead Type and Status selected automatically place the Contact into matching Lists.

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