Customer Data Import Guidelines

Customer Data Import Guidelines

🔄 Importing Customer Loyalty Points in Essential Loyalty

The Essential Loyalty app allows you to seamlessly import customer data via a CSV file. Below are the steps to successfully complete your import, plus what actually transfers and what doesn't.

🧭 Step 1: Navigate to the Import Section

After opening the Essential Loyalty app in your Shopify dashboard, go to the ⚙️ Settings section located in the left-hand menu. Then click on 📁 CSV Imports.

📝 Step 2: Prepare Your CSV File

Before uploading, make sure your CSV file is formatted correctly:

• 📄 Download our template to see the required structure
• 🔢 Points must be entered as whole numbers only – no commas or periods (e.g., 100  , not 100.00   or 1,000  )
• 🎂 Birthdates must follow the exact formatting shown in the template
• ❌ Do not add any extra headers – only use the exact headers provided in the template
• 📦 Files up to 100 MB are supported

⚠️ Incorrect formatting may lead to import errors or incorrect data being stored.

📤 Step 3: Export Your Data

Export your customer data from your previous loyalty app in CSV format. Make sure it aligns with the formatting requirements mentioned above.

⬆️ Step 4: Upload Your CSV File

Once your file is ready:

• Click the "Add file" button in the CSV Imports section
• The system will automatically process and import your customers' loyalty data

🔁 Overriding Existing Points

Any CSV file you upload will override existing point balances for the included customers. This allows you to:

• ✏️ Adjust points in bulk
• 🧹 Correct or reset loyalty data
• 🔄 Update existing customer balances easily

If you uploaded incorrect data or want to make changes later, simply revise your CSV file and re-upload it — the new values will replace the old ones automatically.

What actually transfers (and what doesn't)

Import is a great way to migrate from another loyalty app, but it's not a full history migration — it's important to set that expectation correctly.

Transfers:

• Points balance
• Lifetime points
• VIP tier
• Birthday

Does NOT transfer:

• Activity history (the earn/redeem log a customer sees)
• Past redemptions or discount codes
• Referral relationships

Important: import only updates customers who already exist in your store (matched by Shopify customer ID, then phone, then email) — it never creates new customer records. Rows that don't match an existing customer are skipped. If some customers didn't get their points, check whether their email or phone number actually matches an existing Shopify customer on your store.

This isn't a full history migration: balances and tier carry over, but the activity log and past redemption history don't. If you want those migrated too, contact support — that's a separate, assisted service, not something the CSV import itself does.