> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://documents.xobito.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Contact Issues > Duplicate contacts, import errors, missing fields, bulk delete, export, and re-sync. Contacts are the backbone of every campaign and chat. This page walks through the most common contact problems and how to fix them. ## Duplicate contacts **Symptom:** The same person appears twice in your contact list. **How it happens:** * Two imports ran with the same CSV. * A contact messaged you before they were imported, creating an auto-contact. * Two agents added the same person manually. ### Finding duplicates Xobito groups contacts that share the same phone number or email. Decide which contact has the most complete information. ### Merging duplicates Tick the two or more contacts you want to merge. All messages, notes, and history from the others are moved onto this one. The other contacts are deleted. The merge cannot be undone. Merges are **permanent**. If in doubt, export the duplicate contact first as backup. ## Import errors **Symptom:** Your CSV import shows "0 imported" or partial counts with errors. ### The error file After every import, Xobito gives you two files: * `success.csv` — contacts that imported cleanly. * `errors.csv` — rows that failed, with a reason column. Open `errors.csv` and look at the **Reason** column to see what's wrong. ### Common import error reasons Phone numbers must start with `+` and include a country code with no spaces or dashes. * Wrong: `(415) 555-1234` * Right: `+14155551234` Two rows in your CSV share the same phone. Keep one, remove the other. Phone number is always required. If you have a custom field marked required, every row must include it. Names limited to 100 characters, emails to 254. Long free-form fields are truncated. Save as **CSV UTF-8** in Excel, not plain CSV. Otherwise accented characters like `é` import as `Ã©`. The column header in your CSV doesn't match any field in Xobito. Either rename the header or map it manually on the import screen. ### Re-importing after fixing Update bad phone numbers, fill missing fields, remove duplicates. Only the corrected rows need to be re-uploaded — successful rows from the first run are already imported. ## Missing fields in imported contacts **Symptom:** Contacts imported fine but some fields are empty. **Likely causes:** * CSV column not mapped to a Xobito field. * Field name mismatch (e.g. CSV has "Phone Number", Xobito expects "phone"). * Custom field doesn't exist in Xobito yet. ### Fix On the import screen, make sure every relevant CSV column has a matching Xobito field in the dropdown. Go to **Contacts → Custom Fields** and create any missing fields before importing. You can re-import the same CSV — Xobito will update existing contacts if the phone number matches. Xobito stores "updates by phone number" — re-importing a file won't create duplicates if the phone numbers match existing contacts; it'll fill in the new fields instead. ## Bulk delete ### Deleting a few contacts Tick the boxes next to their names in the contact list. Top action bar. Confirm. ### Deleting many contacts (e.g. 1,000+) Use filters like group, status, or source. This selects every contact that matches — even those on other pages. Xobito shows the total count. Confirm. The delete runs in the background; you'll get an in-app notification when it's done. Bulk delete is **permanent**. Consider exporting first (see below) as backup. ### Deleting all contacts There's no single "delete everything" button on purpose — it's a destructive action. To delete all, select all, then bulk delete in batches. ## Exporting contacts ### Export all contacts Pick CSV or Excel. By default all fields are included; uncheck any you don't need. For large exports (>10,000 contacts), Xobito emails you a link when it's ready. ### Export a filtered selection First apply filters to narrow the list, then click **Export**. Only the filtered contacts are included. ### What's in the export * All standard fields: name, phone, email, groups, status, source, created date, last message date. * All custom fields. * Opt-in and opt-out status. Exports are accurate at the time you click **Export**. If contacts change after, download again. ## Re-syncing after external changes If you also keep contact data in another system (CRM, spreadsheet), you may need to reconcile changes. ### Update by re-importing Download a CSV from your CRM. Xobito uses phone as the unique key. All other columns update the matching contact. Contacts → Import → upload the CSV. Map columns as needed. Existing contacts with matching phone numbers are updated; new rows create new contacts. ### Use the API for automatic sync If you need ongoing sync, use Xobito's API. See [API Reference](/api-reference/endpoints/list-contacts). ## Missing contacts **Symptom:** A contact you remember adding is not in the list. **Likely causes:** * You're filtering by a group that doesn't include them. * The contact was deleted. * You're in the wrong view (e.g. "My contacts" vs. "All contacts"). ### Fix Click **Clear filters** at the top of the contact list. Search is the fastest way to find any specific contact. **Team → Activity Log** shows when a contact was deleted and by whom. Contact deletes are immediate and permanent — there is no Trash view to restore from. Make a CSV export before bulk-deleting if you want recovery options. ## Opt-out workflows Xobito does not currently auto-detect opt-out keywords or exclude flagged contacts from campaigns. To stop messaging a contact, edit their record and disable it, or delete it. Automatic opt-out is on the roadmap. ## Contact in wrong group Move a contact between groups: Add or remove groups from the chip list. For bulk group changes, filter the contacts then click **Bulk actions → Add to group / Remove from group**. ## Related Step-by-step CSV import guide. Failed deliveries and bad numbers. Frequently asked questions.