Importing data into Givebutter can save you a lot of time when done correctly. If you're seeing errors during the import process, you're not alone. Below is a breakdown of the most common import failures, their meaning, and how to fix them. We've also included tips for handling international data and identifying failed rows.

When your import encounters issues, the failed rows can be downloaded directly from the Imports page.

To view details about specific rows, click on an import that includes failed records. In the Errors section, you'll see details about which field caused the failure, so you can quickly review and correct them.

If any of the primary address fields are included, such as address line 1, city, state, zip code, or country, all must be present. The importer requires a complete address to process the record.

For individuals, both first and last names are required. For companies, the company name must be included.

Dates must follow MM/DD/YYYY or YYYY-MM-DD formats. Single-digit months or days (e.g., 3/5/2025) should be padded (e.g., 03/05/2025).

Some fields, such as custom fields and internal notes, have character limits. If a value is too long, it will be rejected.

Phone numbers and email addresses must follow standard formats. Emails must include “@” and a valid domain like .com, .net, etc.

If you import an email address, you must also include a subscription status. If uncertain, default to “no” (unsubscribed).

If a primary contact name is listed, it must include the first name, last name, and email address to be valid.

For transaction imports, the Givebutter Contact ID must be used—not an ID from another CRM or system.

Transaction amounts must be positive numbers (1 or greater). A value of 0 is allowed only if the payment method is listed as in-kind.

If you're using the campaign code column instead of campaign title, make sure the code matches the Givebutter campaign code, not an external system’s.

Each fund must be created in Givebutter and assigned a code before importing. This code should match the one used in your import file.

Only the following payment methods are accepted:
​card, ach, check, cash, digital_wallet, paypal, venmo, donor_advised_fund, stock, in_kind, property, other.

If you include one of the External columns (ID or Label), you must include the other.

This must be the Givebutter team ID linked to your campaign. You can find it by going to:
Campaign > Team > Teams/Team Members > Export
Do not use IDs from a previous system.

Givebutter supports importing international data, but it must follow proper formatting. We provide two resources to help you format international data:

Givebutter’s importer includes a powerful Transform tool that lets you reformat and clean up your data directly within the importer – no need to reopen your spreadsheet! This tool is perfect for quick fixes, like converting transaction dates from MM/DD/YY to MM/DD/YYYY, all without leaving the platform.