How to Import URLs in Bulk Using CSV Files

You might have existing tracking URLs in a spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets) that you'd like to import into Terminus in bulk using a CSV file. This feature helps you efficiently add multiple URLs at once, saving time and maintaining consistency across your tracking URLs.

Prerequisites

  • An subscription plan that includes the Bulk URL Import feature
  • Appropriate permissions to create and manage URLs in your project
  • A properly formatted CSV file containing your URLs (details below)

1. Access the Import Feature

  1. Login to your Terminus account.
  2. Navigate to the project where you want to import URLs.
  3. Look for the Import Existing UTM URLs button in your project dashboard.

2. Download a Sample CSV Template

Before preparing your own CSV file, it's recommended to download a sample template that matches your project configuration.
  1. On the import page, look for the link to download a sample file at the bottom of the form (below the CSV file upload section).
  2. Click the sample file link to download a template pre-configured with the correct headers for your project.

3. Prepare Your CSV File

The CSV file must follow a specific format with precise column headers. The sample file provides the correct format for your specific project configuration.

Required CSV Headers

  • url - The destination URL without any UTM parameters (required)

Optional CSV Headers

If UTM parameters are enabled for your project:

  • utm[campaign][tag] - UTM Campaign parameter
  • utm[medium][tag] - UTM Medium parameter
  • utm[source][tag] - UTM Source parameter
  • utm[content][tag] - UTM Content parameter
  • utm[term][tag] - UTM Term parameter

Additional fields:

  • custom[parameter_name][tag] - Any custom parameters configured for your project
  • info[field_name][tag] - Any info fields configured for your project
  • short_url_key - Custom back-half for the shortened URL
  • Labels - Comma-separated list of labels to apply to the URL
  • Notes - Additional information about the URL
> Note: The column headers are case-sensitive and must match exactly as shown above.

Example CSV Format

url,utm[campaign][tag],utm[medium][tag],utm[source][tag],utm[content][tag],utm[term][tag],short_url_key,Labels,Notes
https://example.com/product,summer_promo,email,newsletter,blue_button,,custom_key1,Marketing,Summer promotion
https://example.com/sale,winter_sale,social,twitter,,,custom_key2,Sales,Winter sale

4. Upload Your CSV File

  1. Return to the Import Existing UTM URLs page in Terminus.
  2. Click the Browse button to select your prepared CSV file.
  3. Select your file and click Upload CSV.

5. Monitor Import Progress

After uploading, you'll be redirected to a status page showing the progress of your import.
  1. The system will process your URLs and display real-time status.
  2. You don't need to keep the page open - you'll receive an email notification once the import is complete.
  3. When finished, you'll see a "Successfully processed" message with the number of URLs imported.

6. Review Import Results

  1. Once your import is complete, review the results summary showing how many URLs were successfully imported.
  2. If there were any failures, the system will display the affected rows and the specific errors.
  3. Click See all URLs to view your newly imported URLs in your project.

7. Handle Failed Imports

If some URLs failed to import, you'll see them listed with specific error messages.
  1. Review the error messages for each failed URL.
  2. Common issues include:
  • Missing required fields
  • Invalid URL format
  • Duplicate short URL keys
  • Validation errors based on project settings

To resolve these:

  1. Fix the issues in your CSV file.
  2. Import the corrected file by clicking Import More URLs.

Best Practices

  • Start small: For your first import, try a small batch of URLs to ensure your CSV format is correct.
  • Pre-check your data: Verify your CSV file before uploading to minimize import errors.

Troubleshooting

CSV Format Issues

  • Ensure column headers exactly match the required format, including case.
  • Check that your CSV file is properly encoded (UTF-8 recommended).
  • Verify there are no extra spaces or special characters in your column headers.

Import Failures

  • Required Fields Missing: Ensure all fields marked as required in your project settings are populated.
  • Duplicate Short URL Keys: If you're providing custom short URL keys, make sure they're unique across your project.
  • URL Format Issues: Verify all destination URLs begin with http:// or https:// and are properly formatted.

Large Imports

  • For very large imports (hundreds or thousands of URLs), the process may take some time to complete.
  • You can navigate away from the page after starting the import - you'll receive an email notification when it's done.

Features Not Supported

  • The CSV import feature does not support URLs built using conventions. If your project requires conventions, you'll need to create URLs individually.
  • The import feature has a limitation on the number of URLs that can be processed in a single batch.

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