> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.fanhaven.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Import & Export

> Bring in existing fan data and export for external use.

Already have a fan list? Fanhaven makes it easy to **import** existing data into your fan database. And when you need to use fan data in external tools, **export** gives you a clean download.

## Importing fans

### Preparing your data

Before importing, make sure your data is in a **CSV file** with the following columns:

| Column         | Required    | Notes                                                          |
| -------------- | ----------- | -------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Phone**      | Yes         | The primary identifier. Include country code (e.g., +1 for US) |
| **First Name** | Recommended | Fan's first name                                               |
| **Last Name**  | Recommended | Fan's last name                                                |
| **Email**      | Optional    | Email address                                                  |

<Warning>Phone number is the primary identifier in Fanhaven. Records without a valid phone number cannot be imported.</Warning>

### Running the import

<Steps>
  ### Go to Fans

  Navigate to the Fan Database page.

  ### Click "Import"

  Select your CSV file and upload it.

  ### Map columns

  Fanhaven will attempt to auto-detect your columns. Verify the mapping is correct — phone, name, email, etc.

  ### Review duplicates

  The import tool detects existing fans (matched by phone number) and lets you choose how to handle them:

  * **Skip** — Don't update existing records
  * **Merge** — Update existing records with new data (won't overwrite existing data with blanks)

  ### Confirm and import

  Review the summary (new fans to add, duplicates found, invalid records) and confirm.
</Steps>

### Post-import

After importing, Fanhaven automatically:

* **Validates emails** — Checks that imported email addresses are deliverable
* **Validates phones** — Verifies phone numbers are valid
* **Enriches profiles** — Adds geographic and demographic data where available

## Exporting fans

### Full export

Export your entire fan database as a CSV file. Go to **Fans** and click **Export**. The download includes all fan fields.

### Segment export

Export only fans in a specific segment:

1. Navigate to the segment you want to export
2. Click **Export** on the segment view
3. Download the filtered CSV

### Use cases for exports

| Use case                | What to export                                               |
| ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Email platform sync** | Fans with email consent for your email service provider      |
| **Ad audiences**        | Phone/email lists for custom audiences on Meta, TikTok, etc. |
| **Reporting**           | Fan data for external analytics or presentations             |
| **Backup**              | Periodic full exports as a data backup                       |

<Info>Fanhaven respects consent preferences. When exporting for marketing purposes, always filter to fans who have opted in to the relevant channel (email or SMS).</Info>