Format and Import Contacts from Excel to an Android

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Export a CSV file from Excel and import it into Google Contacts

Written by Travis Boylls

Last Updated: September 8, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Creating a Contact Sheet
|
• Importing to Google Contacts
|
• Syncing to Android
|
• Video
|
• Q&A
|
• Tips

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If your contacts are stored in an Excel CSV file, it's easy to import them into your Android. The trick is to make sure your CSV file is formatted using Google's standard formatting, which ensures that the name, address, phone number, and other fields are imported correctly. This wikiHow article will walk you through formatting a CSV file properly for your Android and show you how to import the file using Google Contacts.

Quick Steps

1. Save your contacts as a CSV file.
2. Go to contacts.google.com in a browser.
3. Click Import and select the CSV file.
4. Open your Android's Settings.
5. Go to Google > All Services > Google Contacts sync > Status.
6. Enable syncing and tap the Refresh icon.

Steps

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Creating a Contact Sheet in Excel

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1. 
   1
   Navigate to contacts.google.com in a web browser. This is the website where you can manage your contacts over the internet. Here you can import and export contact sheets that can be used in Excel.

   • Make sure you are logged in to your Google account. If you are not, click Sign In in the upper-right corner. Select your Google Account, or click Add another account and sign in with the username and password associated with your Google account.
2. 
   2
   Export a contact as a CSV file. This can be any contact you wish. This will create a template you can use to format your contacts in Excel so that they can be imported into your Google Contacts. Use the following steps to export a contact as a CSV file:

   • Click a contact.
   • Click the icon with three dots (⋮) to the right of a contact.
   • Click Export.
   • Select Google CSV.
   • Click Export.
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3. 
   3
   Open the CSV file in Excel. By default, downloaded files can be found in your Downloads folder. If Excel is your default spreadsheet application, you can simply double-click the file to open it in Excel. If this does not open the file in Excel, right-click the file, hover over Open with, and then click Excel.
4. 
   4
   Enter all your contact information into the CSV sheet. The first row at the top contains all the labels. Enter all the correct information in the column below the label at the top. Contact names go in the "A" column. Contact phone numbers go in the "AE" column. You can enter any other information you have below the correct label at the top, or leave them blank.

   • If you don't want to keep the original contact info that you exported from Google Contacts, you can delete it.
   • If you have a list of contacts from another Excel spreadsheet, you can copy and paste them into the correct column in the Google CSV document.
5. 
   5
   Save the CSV file. Once you have entered all the contact information you want to import to your Android device, click the icon that resembles a floppy disk in the upper-left corner. This saves the CSV file that can be imported into Google and used by your Android.

   • Alternatively, if you already have a spreadsheet that is in the correct format, you can save it as a CSV file. To do so, click File in the upper-left corner, followed by Save as. Select “.csv (comma delineated)” in the drop-down menu next to “Save as Type.” Then enter a name for the CSV file and click Save.
6. 
   6
   Click Yes to keep the file in CSV format. Excel asks if you want to keep the file in CSV format and warns that you may lose some information in this format. Click Yes to continue.
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Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Importing a CSV File into Google Contacts

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1. 
   1
   Navigate to contacts.google.com in a web browser. This is the website where you can manage your contacts over the internet. Here you can import and export contact sheets.

   • Make sure you are logged in to your Google account. If you are not, click Sign In in the upper-right corner. Select your Google Account, or click Add another account and sign in with the username and password associated with your Google account.
2. 
   2
   Click Import. It's in the menu panel to the left. It's next to an icon that resembles a tray with an arrow pointing up.
3. 
   3
   Click Select File. It's the blue button in the pop-up that appears when you click "Import."
4. 
   4
   Select your CSV file and click Open. Navigate to the Google CSV file that you made in Excel. Double-click the file to select it and then click Open in the lower-right corner.
5. 
   5
   Click Import. This imports all the contacts from the CSV file into your Google account. You should see your contacts start to populate momentarily.
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Syncing Your Contacts with Your Android

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1. 
   1
   Open the Settings app

   

   on your Android phone. To do so, swipe down from the top of the screen to display the Quick Access menu. Then tap the icon that resembles a gear in the upper-right corner.

   • Alternatively, you can tap the icon that resembles a gear in the Apps menu.
2. 
   2
   Tap Google. This displays your Google account settings.

   • On some devices, you may need to tap Account or Account Services instead.
3. 
   3
   Tap the All services tab. It’s the second tab at the top of the page. This displays the Settings menu for all Google services.
4. 
   4
   Tap Google Contacts sync. It’s a little way down the menu. It’s below the “Backup & restore” header.
5. 
   5
   Tap Status. This opens the menu that allows you to turn on Google Contacts sync as well as instantly sync your contacts.
6. 
   6
   Turn on Google Contacts sync (optional). If you want to refresh your contacts with your Google account automatically, tap the toggle switch next to “Google Contacts sync.” This will sync your Contacts with your Android device and your Google account automatically at regular intervals.
7. 
   7
   Tap the Refresh icon

   

   . It’s the icon that resembles a circle with an arrow on the end. It’s to the right of “Status.” This syncs your contacts instantly.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  How can I send a WhatsApp message without saving the contact?

  

  ajeesh sj

  Community Answer

  You can use third-party applications designed for this purpose. Additionally, some phone dialers or Android interfaces allow you to send a WhatsApp message directly from a number's options, even if the contact isn't saved.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  How do I import contacts from a CSV, Excel, or vCard file?

  

  benjamin joins

  Community Answer

  To import contacts from Excel or CSV files, you typically need to convert them into a vCard (VCF) format first. This VCF file can then be easily imported into your Android phone's contacts application or through Google Contacts. If your contacts are already in a vCard file, you can often import it directly.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  When I try to update my phone number for my account, it appears in an email field. How can I ensure it's entered correctly?

  

  Peter Rafai

  Community Answer

  To update your phone number for your Samsung account, go to Settings > Accounts > Samsung Account on your device. Log in, then tap 'Profile Info' and locate the phone number field for updating. If the field is not available there, you can try updating it directly via the Samsung Account Website or contact Samsung Support for assistance.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• Uploading a CSV file to your Google Contacts page will synchronize the contacts with any items using that Google Account, including your Android. You shouldn't have to import contacts directly from a file to your Android unless you want to store the contacts on your phone itself.
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