# Export Your Email Marketing Data for Bento

This guide helps you export all your valuable data from your current email marketing platform so you can smoothly migrate to Bento. Follow these steps to preserve your contacts, tags, segments, and automation history. 


  Exporting your data is safe and won't affect your current email operations. You can continue sending emails while preparing your migration.


## Why Proper Export Matters

A successful migration depends on clean, complete data exports. Taking time to export properly ensures:

- **Zero data loss** - Every contact and their history moves with you
- **Preserved relationships** - Tags, segments, and custom fields stay intact
- **Smooth transition** - Your audience won't notice the platform change
- **Compliance maintained** - Unsubscribes and bounces transfer correctly


> Most exports take 10-20 minutes depending on your list size and platform. Set aside time to do this properly—rushing leads to mistakes.


## Platform-Specific Export Guides

Select your current email marketing platform for detailed export instructions:

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          ActiveCampaign
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
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          Mailchimp
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
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          ConvertKit
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
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          Drip
        
      
    
  

  
    
      
        
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          Klaviyo
        
      
    
  


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## What You Need to Export

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    ### Essential Data

     **Active Contacts** - Your engaged subscribers <br />
     **Unsubscribed Contacts** - Must be imported separately<br />
     **Bounced Contacts** - Prevents sending to bad addresses<br />
     **Tags & Labels** - Your organization system<br />
     **Custom Fields** - Contact properties and data


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  <div>

    ### Reference Material

    - **Segments & Lists** - Document rules for recreation
    - **Automation Workflows** - Screenshot for rebuilding
    - **Email Templates** - Save HTML for reuse
    - **Forms & Landing Pages** - Export code or screenshots
    - **Integration Settings** - Note connected services

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## Universal Export Process

If your platform isn't listed above, follow these general steps:

div]:mb-3">
  <Timeline.Item title="Prepare Your Account">
    <p>Clean up your data before exporting. Remove test contacts, merge duplicates, and fix obvious errors. This saves time later.</p>
  </Timeline.Item>

  <Timeline.Item title="Export Active Contacts First">
    <p>Navigate to your contacts/subscribers section. Look for "Export" or "Download" options. Choose CSV format with all available fields.</p>
  </Timeline.Item>

  <Timeline.Item title="Export Status Segments Separately">
    <p>Filter for unsubscribed contacts and export them to a separate CSV file. Repeat for bounced contacts. Keep these files separate.</p>
    
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Never mix unsubscribed contacts with active ones—Bento needs separate files to maintain compliance.

  </Timeline.Item>

  <Timeline.Item title="Document Your Tags">
    <p>Export or screenshot your tag list. If tags are included in contact exports, verify all are captured. Note any automation tags.</p>
  </Timeline.Item>

  <Timeline.Item title="Capture Segments & Lists">
    <p>For dynamic segments, document the rules (screenshot or write them down). For static lists, export the contacts separately.</p>
  </Timeline.Item>

  <Timeline.Item title="Save Automation References">
    <p>Take screenshots of your automation workflows, email sequences, and triggers. You'll rebuild these in Bento Flows.</p>
  </Timeline.Item>


<hr />

## Preparing Your CSV Files

After exporting, you'll need to clean and standardize your data:


  <Timeline.Item title="Standardize Column Names">
    Rename columns to Bento-friendly formats:

    | Your Platform Might Use              | Change To    | Purpose            |
    |--------------------------------------|--------------|--------------------| 
    | Email Address, E-mail, Contact Email | `email`      | Primary identifier |
    | First, FirstName, FName              | `first_name` | Personalization    |
    | Last, LastName, LName                | `last_name`  | Personalization    |
    | Created, Joined, Added               | `created_at` | Historical data    |
    | Tags, Labels, Lists                  | `tags`       | Organization       |
  </Timeline.Item>

  <Timeline.Item title="Format Tags Properly">
    Most platforms export tags differently. Standardize them:
    - **Multiple tags**: Use commas to separate (e.g., `customer,vip,newsletter`)
    - **Remove spaces**: `customer, vip` → `customer,vip`
    - **Use underscores**: `high value` → `high_value`
  </Timeline.Item>

  <Timeline.Item title="Clean Your Data">
    
      
        **Remove:**
        - Blank email addresses
        - Test contacts (test@, admin@)
        - Duplicate entries
        - System fields you don't need
      
      
        **Fix:**
        - Inconsistent capitalization
        - Extra spaces in fields
        - Invalid email formats
        - Missing required data
      
    

    
      Use spreadsheet software (Excel, Google Sheets) to clean your data. The "Find & Replace" feature is your friend.
    
  </Timeline.Item>


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## Common Export Challenges


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## Platform Translation Guide

Different platforms use different terms. Here's your translation guide:

| Common Platform Terms             | Bento Equivalent | What It Means                    |
|-----------------------------------|------------------|----------------------------------|
| List, Audience, Database          | People           | All your contacts in one place   |
| Tag, Label, Category              | Tag              | Labels for organizing contacts   |
| Segment, Smart List, Group        | Segment          | Dynamic groups based on criteria |
| Custom Field, Property, Attribute | Field            | Additional contact information   |
| Campaign, Broadcast, Blast        | Broadcast        | One-time email to a group        |
| Automation, Workflow, Sequence    | Flow             | Triggered email sequences        |
| Form, Opt-in, Sign-up             | Form             | Ways to collect new contacts     |

## Export Checklist

Before moving to import, verify you have:

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      <h3 className="text-white mt-0 mb-4">Required Files</h3>
      1. Active contacts CSV (with all custom fields)
      2. Unsubscribed contacts CSV (separate file)
      3. Bounced contacts CSV (if applicable)
      4. Tag documentation or export
    </div>

    <div className="flex-1">
      <h3 className="text-white mt-0 mb-4">Reference Materials</h3>
      1. Screenshots of automation workflows
      2. Segment rules documented
      3. Form code or screenshots saved
      4. Email template HTML exported
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      <h3 className="text-white mt-0 mb-4">Data Quality</h3>
      1. Column names standardized
      2. Tags formatted correctly (comma-separated)
      3. Duplicate contacts removed
      4. Test contacts deleted
    </div>
  </div>
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## Next Steps

With your data exported and cleaned:

1. **Create Backup Copies** - Save original exports before making changes
2. **Start Small** - Import a test batch of 100 contacts first
3. **Verify Everything** - Check that tags, fields, and data imported correctly
4. **Scale Up** - Import remaining contacts in batches
5. **Rebuild Automations** - Use your screenshots to recreate workflows


> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Keep your current platform active during migration. Only cancel after confirming everything works perfectly in Bento.


## Need Help?

If you encounter export challenges:

- Check our platform-specific guides above for detailed steps
- Join the Bento [Discord](https://discord.gg/ssXXFRmt5F) community
- Contact your current platform's support for export assistance
- Reach out to Bento support for import questions

Remember: Taking time to export properly saves hours of cleanup later. Your future self will thank you!


> Most migrations complete in 2-4 hours of actual work. Don't rush—careful preparation ensures a smooth transition.