Chapter 11 · Part 1
Export Gmail Contacts to CSV
Already have your contacts in Gmail? Export them as a CSV, then reformat so the phone number comes first and your column titles use iSMS tokens. Then it’s ready to upload.
From Gmail contacts to an iSMS-ready CSV
The export itself is quick — the key step is reformatting the file so it matches the iSMS CSV format (phone number first, titles wrapped in % … %).
- 1
Open Google Contacts
In Gmail, open the apps menu and go to Contacts.
- 2
You’re in Google Contacts
The Contacts page opens, listing everyone in your account.
- 3
Choose Export
Click More (or the menu) and select Export.
- 4
Export as Google CSV
Pick which contacts to export, choose Google CSV, then click Export.
- 5
Open it in a spreadsheet
Open the exported file in Excel or OpenOffice, pick the correct import format, and click OK.
- 6
Spot the format difference
Gmail puts phone numbers in a later column, but iSMS needs the phone number first. You’ll rearrange this next.
- 7
Get the iSMS sample
In iSMS, go to SMS → Compose SMS → CSV Compose and click CSV Sample to download the correct template.
- 8
Reformat to match
Rearrange so the phone number is in the first column, and wrap each column title in
% … %— for example%name%.
- 9
Save as Text CSV
Save the file in Text CSV (.csv) format.
- 10
Upload to iSMS
Upload your reformatted CSV in CSV Compose and send your messages.
The reformat that matters
Move the phone number to the first column and wrap each heading in % … % so iSMS can read and personalise the file.
% … %. That’s what turns a Gmail export into a file iSMS can read and personalise.