To import using Google Sheets, CSV, or Excel files directly from the Streak UI, please check out the new importer tool here.
In this article:
You can reference this Google Sheets template as an example for cleaning up your file.
You can import external data into Streak through Google Sheets using our free Importer. Each row in your Google Sheets will be a Box (i.e., a row) in whichever Streak Pipeline you choose.
#1 Prepare your pipeline
It's essential to consider the different column types to find the best fit for your data. For example, you may need to add a "Date" column instead of a "Free form" column, depending on the data you're about to import.
For each of your Google Sheets columns that you want to import, you will need to create custom columns in your Pipeline that match that header. For example, if your spreadsheet has a column titled "Region", you should add a new custom column to your Pipeline and title it "Region". You can create and import as many columns as you need.
Be sure to consider the different column types and which fits your data best. For example, you may need to add a "Date" column instead of a "Free form" column, depending on the data you're about to import.
#2 Prepare your Google Sheets data
For Steps 2-4, you can reference this Google Sheets template as an example for cleaning up your data.
Prior to cleaning your Google Sheets data, ensure that your file is converted into Sheets. Then, check that your column type matches the column type of your Pipeline from Step 1. Here’s a table to guide you:
In addition to your columns in your sheet, every Streak Pipeline has a "Name" column. The purpose of a "Name" column is to make it easy for you to identify and search for individual Boxes at a glance.
Depending on your data, some combination of First Name, Last Name, and/or Company name plus email address is a common way to create a simple and unique naming convention. A common mistake is to attempt to use first name as the only "Name" value.
After you've designated unique values for your "Name" column - check that the rest of your newly created Pipeline columns match up with your Google Sheets columns. If so, then you're ready to prepare your Contact columns!
#3 Prepare your Contact Columns (Optional)
Within Streak, contact and organization information appears on your right sidebar. In the screenshot below, you see Florrie Gomez’s general information, like their first & last name, social media, related contacts, and the team’s activity with them.
A contact is an individual identified by their email address or full name. When creating optional Contact columns, you will need either an email address or provide both a first and last name. The Importer recognizes the first name as a “Given Name” and the last name as a “Family Name”.
Suppose that you also want to import "Addresses", if so, there is no need to separate complete addresses in your Google Sheet by city, state, etc. - these can remain in a single cell. You can view the other data you can import for your Contact columns below:
If you add more than one contact to a single Box, each new contact will need its own row. Below, both “cafebrasil@cafebrasil.com” and “marisa@cafebrasil.com” are all part of the “Cafe Brasil” Box and have their own row.
Now that you’ve organized your Contact columns, you are ready to create your Organization columns!
#4 Prepare your Organization Columns (Optional)
Similar to Contact columns, when you import your Organization columns, this information will be located in your right sidebar. In the screenshot below, you can see Streak’s general information like their Industry, # of Employees, Phone, Location, and social media handles.
An organization is a company identified by its domain (i.e., Streak.com). When using the optional Organization columns, you need to use either the domain or the organization name. You can view the other data you can import for your Organization columns below:
After cleaning your Google Sheets with the appropriate formatting, including a unique value for your Name column (Step 2), and creating your Contact & Organization columns (Steps 3-4), you’re ready to use the Google Sheets Streak Importer Add-on!
#5 Install and use the Google Sheets Streak Importer Add-on
In Google Sheets, under the "Extensions" tab, hover over “Add-ons” and click “Get add-ons”. Then, search for “Streak CRM Importer” and install it.
Once installed, hover over “Streak CRM Importer” under the "Extensions" tab and click “Start Importing”. Streak will guide you through these steps:
Add your data to Sheets – If your sheet already has the data you need, you can continue to the next step. Otherwise, add the data you're looking to import into the sheet by following Steps 2-4.
Choose Your Pipeline – Choose a Pipeline you would like to import into. Make sure that your Pipeline has the appropriate custom columns (i.e., Freeform, Date, Checkbox, Dropdown, & Tag) that you want to import data into. Check Step 2: Prepare your Google Sheets data to reference the appropriate formatting.
Choose Your Box Columns – Map your Pipeline columns to your Google Sheets columns. You cannot use a column for more than one field in Streak. Remember that the Streak “Name” column should map to a Sheets column with unique values.
Choose Your Contact Columns – You can create Contacts from your sheet and automatically link them to the Boxes created during import. You will need to either map “Emails” or both “Given Name” and “Family Name” to continue importing your contacts. Check Step 3: Prepare your Contact Columns (Optional) for more information. If you're not importing contacts, you can skip this step.
Choose Your Organization Columns – You can also create Organizations during import. You will need to map “Domains” (like streak.com) or “Name” (like the organization’s name) to continue importing your organizations. Check Step 4: Prepare your Organization Columns (Optional) for more best practices. If you're not importing organizations, you can skip this step.
Advanced Options – By default, “Ignore header row” and “Update existing box with new data” will be enabled (we recommend that you keep these checked unless it doesn’t make sense for your import).
If you are importing data into an existing Dropdown or Tag column in your Pipeline, selecting the "Create missing field options" option will automatically create Dropdown/Tag choices for your Pipeline column if they do not already exist. The “Create missing stages” option will automatically create any value that does not exist in your Pipeline Stage column but exists in your sheet.
After confirming, you'll get a Summary of the import with any errors highlighted and the number of Boxes to be created on import (up to 5,000 Boxes can be created per import). You can view this article to learn more about the different types of Importer errors.
If everything looks ready to go, click Start Import. When the import is complete, each row in your Google Sheets will be a Box in your Pipeline!