The quickest way to start adding contacts to your Employee Email web app so you can build custom distribution lists is to upload them using a comma-separated values (CSV) file. You can create and edit this type of file in most spreadsheet applications.

You also have the option to configure automatic syncs with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) and/or Workday, which does not require manual efforts after configuration and will be automatically synced on a regular basis.

For contacts uploaded via a CSV file, you will have to manually upload a new version of the file any time your contacts’ information changes. However, this process is simple to do. Staffbase recommends setting up a regular check-in with your IT team where they export a spreadsheet from your organization's employee data system(s) and provide it for you to upload.

If you have the Staffbase App/Intranet integrated with Employee Email, the most efficient way to set up your contacts is by onboarding users to your App/Intranet, then configuring how your users are synced as email contacts.

Preparing a CSV File to Upload

1. In the Employee Email web app, navigate to Contacts > Import and click the CSV tile.
2. Click Download a sample CSV document and open the downloaded file.
   The CSV file opens and its header row shows the main attributes that identify and group contacts in Employee Email including first and last names, email address, location, department, and job title.
   Attributes are the characteristics that differentiate one recipient from another, which enable you to segment your audience and target your communications to specific groups.
3. Edit the file or create a new CSV file and include the sample values in the header row.
4. Enter appropriate contact data in the columns below the header values.
5. Optionally, add, edit, or remove any columns in your header row except for the one being used as the Unique Contact ID.
   Note: The Unique Contact ID defaults to the contact person’s email address.
   After your first import, it’s possible to change your organization’s Unique Contact ID to a different attribute, for example, employee number.
   Additional columns can include more attributes that are tracked in your organization, such as employee numbers, hire dates, club membership, or anything else that helps to define different groups of contacts.
6. Save changes to the file.

Importing and Mapping Your Contact Data

Note on product naming: Bananatag became Employee Email in January 2022.
Some key aspects of Employee Email temporarily retain the Bananatag name, such as app.bananatag.com, Bananatag Fields, etc.

For all intents and purposes, Bananatag and Employee Email are synonymous.

1. Under Choose a CSV file to import, drag and drop the modified CSV file from your computer.
2. Click Next.
   The Map fields tab opens, and all the values from the header row of your CSV file are auto-populated under the Imported Field section.
3. Using the Bananatag Field dropdowns corresponding to each header row value from your CSV file, select or create fields to map your chosen attributes in Employee Email.
   You have the option to skip any of your imported fields except the Unique Contact ID.
   
   Tip: Some fields are mapped automatically but can be adjusted based on your preference.
   If there is no existing option in the dropdown that matches your imported attribute(s), create a new Text, Number, or Date field.
4. Click Next.

Completing and Confirming Your Import

1. Check the Static list name and Field mapping sections to confirm or adjust the details of the new static distribution list that will be created from your CSV file.
   Note: Starting February 9, 2023, if the Static list name matches an existing distribution list that you own or have permission to edit, the list that you are uploading will replace the existing one.
   If it matches an existing distribution list that is not shared with you, a unique name will be required before you can save your new list.
2. Click Next to complete the process.
   A new page displays, showing a progress bar for your import.
   
   Tip: You are free to navigate around the Employee Email web app while you wait. This will not disrupt the import.
3. Navigate to Contacts > Directory to view your imported data.
   The All Contacts page opens. 
4. Select the Distribution Lists tab to view the static distribution list created from your completed CSV import.
5. Navigate to Sources > Uploads to check for and fix any potential errors with your import.