How to Troubleshoot Import Errors in Bigin
What Will You Learn in This Guide?
Importing data should save time. Instead, a failed or partial import can leave you with missing contacts, duplicate records, or companies that no longer match their contacts. This guide shows you how to troubleshoot import errors in Bigin by Zoho CRM, so you can find the cause, fix your file, and re-import with confidence.
You will learn where to check import results, how to read skipped-record errors, and how to undo a bad import. You will also learn why companies go missing, why imports stall, and how to prevent problems before you upload.
Here is what the article covers:
- Where to find import results in Bigin
- The most common causes of skipped records
- How to undo imports and handle wrong updates
- How to fix missing company data
- How to troubleshoot migration errors
- A pre-import checklist and best practices
Where Do You Check the Results of an Import in Bigin?
Always start with Import History. It tells you what happened to every row, so you can stop guessing.
How Do You Open Import History?
Go to Settings, then Data Administration, then Import, then Import History. The page shows records added, updated, and skipped, along with the source and module. Therefore, you can confirm quickly whether the import matched your expectations.
How Do You See Why Records Were Skipped?
Click the Skipped Records count to view the error messages and download the skipped records, so you can fix them and re-import. Download the file, read the error beside each row, correct the data, and import only the fixed rows. This approach avoids duplicating records that already imported correctly.
How Long Does Bigin Keep Import Details?
Retention matters, so act quickly. Zoho’s help page states that import details for added, skipped, and updated records are only available for 7 days from the import date. The same page also says that Import History shows only the last 60 days of imports. Because those two figures differ, check what your own account displays, and download skipped records as soon as the import finishes.
Why Did Bigin Skip Records During Import?
Skipped records usually share a few causes. Compare your file against this list before you contact support.
What Are the Most Common Causes?
| Cause | What Happens | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Missing mandatory field | The row fails validation | Fill the required field in your file |
| Wrong data format | The value does not match the field type | Match Bigin‘s format, such as dates |
| Over-long values | The field rejects text above its limit | Shorten the value |
| Duplicate record | The row matches an existing record | Remove duplicates or choose update |
| File or row limit exceeded | Records beyond the limit are skipped | Split the file into smaller parts |
| Broken lookup | A company or contact does not exist yet | Import parent records first |
Why Do Format Errors Occur?
Format errors appear when the file value does not match the field type. For example, a HubSpot migration may skip data because of data type mismatches, such as a Date/Time format. Recheck that your file uses the formats Bigin expects, and clean text columns that contain numbers or symbols.
How Can You Spot Patterns Quickly?
Open the skipped records file and sort by the error message. If most rows share one message, you have a single data problem to fix. If the messages vary, work through the largest group first.
How Do You Fix Partial Imports With No Error Messages?
Sometimes Bigin reports no errors, yet some of your data is missing. This situation confuses many admins.
What Should You Check First?
Check the file size and row count, because imports have limits on both, and Bigin skips records beyond the allowed limit. Count the rows in your spreadsheet, and compare that number with the added, updated, and skipped totals in Import History. If the numbers do not add up, the limit is the likely cause.
How Do You Import Large Files Safely?
- Split the file into smaller batches.
- Name each file clearly, such as “contacts_part1.csv.”
- Import one batch at a time.
- Check Import History after each batch.
- Stop and investigate if any batch behaves unexpectedly.
What If the Numbers Still Do Not Match?
Look for blank rows, hidden rows, and merged cells in your spreadsheet. These issues can distort counts. For unresolved cases, Zoho advises writing to Bigin support with your file, screenshots, and a recording.
Why Are Company Details Missing in Imported Contacts?
This problem appears often, and it comes from the way Bigin links records. The company field is not plain text, so order matters.
How Does the Company Lookup Work?
The Company Name field is a lookup, which means the company must already exist before a contact can point to it. If the company is absent, the contact imports without the link.
In Which Order Should You Import Data?
Zoho recommends importing Company records first, then Contacts with an Account Name or ID that matches the imported companies, and then Pipelines to associate them with companies and contacts. Follow this order every time:
- Companies
- Contacts
- Pipelines (deals)
How Do You Repair Contacts That Already Imported Without Companies?
Import the missing companies first. Then re-import the contacts using the update option, with the same unique identifiers, so Bigin links each contact to its company. Test with a small sample before you run the full file. Remember that updates cannot be undone, as the next section explains.
How Do You Undo an Import in Bigin?
Mistakes happen. Bigin offers an undo option, but it has firm limits.
What Does Undo Import Do?
If an import created duplicate records because you imported the same file twice, you can go to Import History, find the import, and select Undo Import. Use this feature immediately when you notice the mistake.
What Are the Limits of Undo Import?
| Situation | Can You Undo It? |
|---|---|
| Newly added records | Yes, within the time limit |
| Updates to existing records | No |
| More than one import action | No, only one import action can be undone |
| Imports older than 30 days | No |
| “Update Existing Records Only” imports | No undo option |
Undo Import is available only within 30 days of the import, and it cannot undo updates or other application-wide changes. If you chose Both (Add and Update), undo removes only newly added records, not updated ones.
What Can You Do If an Import Overwrote Good Data?
Undo Import does not roll back wrong updates, so restore existing records from a data backup, if one is available, or contact Bigin support. Therefore, export your data before every large import. A fresh export gives you a safety net that undo cannot provide.
How Do You Fix an Import That Gets Stuck at Field Mapping?
Sometimes the import wizard freezes before you can finish mapping fields. Usually, a browser issue causes it.
What Quick Fixes Should You Try?
Clear your browser cookies and retry; try another browser and test with an alternate file. Work through these steps in order:
- Refresh the page and retry.
- Clear cookies for the Bigin site.
- Open Bigin in a different browser.
- Disable extensions that block scripts.
- Try a smaller test file.
When Should You Contact Support?
If the problem continues, write to Bigin support at support@zohobigin.com with screenshots and a screen recording. Include the file, the module you import into, and the exact step where the wizard stops.
How Do You Troubleshoot Migration Errors in Bigin?
Migrations from other CRMs follow similar rules, plus a few extra limits.
How Do You Authenticate a Pipedrive Migration?
In Pipedrive, open your profile icon, choose Personal Preferences, then API, and copy your API token into the Zoho Bigin migration window. That token authenticates the migration. If authentication fails, regenerate the token and try again.
What Happens When a Migration Skips Data?
For skipped data, errors and skip reasons appear in Import History, and you can undo the migration, fix skipped records, and re-import. The fix mirrors the standard import process: read the errors, correct the source data, and run the migration again.
Is There a Limit on Migrations?
Yes. Zoho Bigin allows a maximum of three migrations, and it blocks further migrations after that. Treat each migration as precious. Test with sample data and clean the source system before you run the real job. If you need more migrations, contact support.
How Do You Prevent Import Errors Before They Happen?
Prevention costs less than repair. A short checklist catches most problems before you click Import.
What Should Your Pre-Import Checklist Include?
- Back up your current Bigin data with an export.
- Clean the file: remove blank rows, merged cells, and stray formatting.
- Confirm that mandatory fields have values in every row.
- Standardize dates, phone numbers, and currency formats.
- Remove duplicates inside the file.
- Split large files into smaller batches.
- Import companies, then contacts, then pipelines.
- Test with ten to twenty rows first.
How Do You Choose Between Add, Update, and Both?
| Option | Use It When | Risk |
|---|---|---|
| Add only | You import new records | Duplicates if records already exist |
| Update only | You fix existing records | Wrong updates cannot be undone |
| Both | You mix new and existing records | Undo removes only the new ones |
Choose the narrowest option that fits your goal. For example, use Add only for a brand-new contact list.
How Do You Keep Your Source Files Reliable?
Save your cleaned file under a new name before every import. Keep the original untouched. In addition, record the date, module, and option you selected, so you can trace problems later.
What Should You Do If Exported Data Looks Wrong?
Import problems often start with a bad export. Therefore, check your export settings too.
Why Does an Export Miss Records or Fields?
Check whether you exported from the All Contacts view or a custom view with criteria applied, and verify that you selected all required fields. For companies, the All Companies view and your field selection also decide which data appears. Re-run the export with the correct selections.
What If You Cannot Download the Export File?
Check that your browser allows pop-ups and redirection, then try the download again. This simple setting solves many download failures.
What Should You Remember About Troubleshooting Import Errors in Bigin?
Troubleshooting follows a clear routine. Open Import History, download the skipped records, read the errors, and fix the data. Import parent records before child records, split large files, and export a backup before every big job. Remember that undo covers only newly added records within a limited time, so prevention matters more than repair.
Bigin by Zoho CRM gives you the tools to diagnose problems quickly, and its support team can help when your case goes beyond the standard fixes. As a result, you can keep your contact and deal data clean while your business grows.
How Can You Start Today?
First, open Import History and review your last import. Next, download any skipped records and look for patterns. Then, build a short checklist from the section above and share it with your team. Finally, schedule a regular export so you always have a backup.
What Are the Most Frequently Asked Questions About Import Errors in Bigin?
Go to Settings, then Data Administration, then Import, then Import History. Click the Skipped Records count to see error messages and download the skipped rows. Fix them and re-import only those rows.
Yes, but only partly. Undo Import removes newly added records, works for one import action, and stays available for 30 days. It cannot reverse updates to existing records, so export a backup before importing.
The Company Name field is a lookup, so the company must exist first. Import companies, then contacts with matching company names or IDs, and then pipelines.
