export const exportDashboard = '/docs/images/export-guides/activecampaign/export-dashboard.webp'
export const exportOptions = '/docs/images/export-guides/activecampaign/export-options.webp'
export const exportFilter = '/docs/images/export-guides/activecampaign/export-filter.webp'
export const exportTags = '/docs/images/export-guides/activecampaign/export-tags.webp'
export const exportSegments = '/docs/images/export-guides/activecampaign/export-segments.webp'
export const exportForms = '/docs/images/export-guides/activecampaign/export-forms.webp'
export const exportAutomations = '/docs/images/export-guides/activecampaign/export-auto.webp'


export const exampleFile = 'migration-guides.js'


# Export Data from ActiveCampaign for Bento

This guide will help you export all the lists, tags, segments, and custom fields you need from ActiveCampaign so you can import them into Bento.  


Exporting your data is safe and does not affect your live ActiveCampaign account. You can continue sending emails while you prepare your migration.


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  ## Prerequisites

   Access to your ActiveCampaign account  
   Admin permissions to export data  
   A place to save your exported CSV files  
   Optional: Spreadsheet software to review and clean up CSVs  

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  <div>
  
  ## What You'll Export

  - **Contacts (Lists/People)**
  - **Tags**
  - **Segments (Saved Searches/Lists)**
  - **Custom Fields**
  - **Automations** (for mapping later)

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</div>

---

## Step-by-Step Export Process


  
  
    
      
        Go to <a href="https://www.activecampaign.com/login" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">ActiveCampaign</a> and log in with your credentials.
      
      
        
      
    
  

  
  
    
      
        Navigate to <strong>Contacts</strong> in the main menu.<br/>
        Click the `...` button then on <strong>Export</strong> (top‑right).<br/>
        Choose a <strong>CSV</strong> name like `active` and ensure all possible check boxes are checked. Click the `Export` button when you are ready to begin the exporting process.
      
      
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        In <strong>Contacts</strong>, change the search option <em>Status</em> and pick `Unsubscribed`.<br/>
        The filter takes effect after you select the option. Repeat the export process and name the CSV file `unsubscribed`.<br/>
        
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Keep these files separate for now. You'll import them separately later so Bento can suppress unsubscribed addresses.

        (repeat again for `Bounced` if there are contacts when you change the <em>status</em>)
      
      
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        Tags are included in your contacts export CSV if they are in use. Be aware that tags not assigned to any contacts will not be included in the export.

        
> 🚨 **Important**
> Tags that are not assigned to any contact will not be included in the export. It's worth noting them so you can manually create them in Bento if needed.


        
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> If you use a lot of tags, consider cleaning up or renaming them in ActiveCampaign before export for easier migration.


        
          Because Bento uses tags to segment subscribers, it's important to name them clearly. We also recommend using namespaced tags for better organization. They are especially useful for tracking subscriber state and history. Contact us in Discord if you have questions about organizing your tags.
        

      
      
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        In <strong>Contacts</strong>, use the <strong>Advanced Search</strong> to filter and export segments.<br/>
        For each saved segment, export the contacts using the export option.<br/>
        
> ⚠️ **Warning**
> Export each segment separately if you want to preserve them in Bento.


        
> Optional — the contacts CSV captures segment membership. Exporting here gives you a <em>snapshot</em>; rebuild the rule in Bento later.


      
      
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        Custom fields are included in your contacts export CSV. Review the CSV columns to make sure all custom fields are present. If any are missing, make sure the field is visible in your contact list before exporting. It may have been filtered or hidden.
      
      

      
    
  

  
  
    
      
        If you want to reference your forms, go to <strong>Site → Forms</strong>.<br/>
        Take screenshots or export any data you want to keep for rebuilding in Bento.
      
      
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        For automations, go to <strong>Automations</strong>.<br/>
        You can only export an image not the automation directly, but you can screenshot or document the steps and options for reference when rebuilding in Bento Flows.
      
      
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## Merge & Clean

1. **Open each of the exported CSV** in your spreadsheet tool.
2. **Rename columns** to Bento‑friendly names (`email`, `first_name`, `tags`, etc.), ensure they match in each csv file.
3. Comma‑separate multiple tags (e.g. <code>vip,customer</code>).
4. Delete any blank or irrelevant columns — Bento ignores missing headers but a tidy sheet is easier to debug.
5. Save each CSV as a separate file.

### Column Map Example

| Email              | Tags          | Remove Tags | First Name | Last Name |
|--------------------|---------------|-------------|------------|-----------|
| jesse@bentonow.com | customer, mql | lead        | Jesse      | Hanley    |


---

## After Exporting

- Double-check your CSV files for all required data (contacts, tags, segments, custom fields).
- Organize your files and screenshots for easy access during the Bento import process.
- If you need to clean up or rename tags/fields, do so in the CSV before importing to Bento.

---

## Troubleshooting


  
    <b>Missing Data?</b><br/>
    - Make sure you exported from the correct section (Contacts, Segments).
    - Check your downloads folder for the CSV file.
    - Open CSVs in a spreadsheet app to review all columns.
    - Lists over 100k contacts? ActiveCampaign splits exports into multiple CSVs—download every part and combine before merging statuses.
  
  
    <b>Export Button Not Visible?</b><br/>
    - You may need admin permissions to export data.
    - Try a different browser or clear your cache.
    - Contact ActiveCampaign support if you still can't export.
  


---

## Critical Terminology: ActiveCampaign → Bento

Before we dive in, let’s align on key concepts. This table is your Rosetta Stone for migrating mental models from **ActiveCampaign** to **Bento**.

| ActiveCampaign Term    | Bento Term           | What It Actually Means                                                                  |
|------------------------|----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| `Contact`              | `Person`             | A human with an email address                                                           |
| `List`                 | *(none)*             | Bento has a single `People` table — use tags + segments instead of siloed lists         |
| `Tag`                  | `Tag`                | Labels for categorization — in Bento, tags are first-class and support advanced logic   |
| `Segment`              | `Segment`            | Dynamic groupings based on field values, tag presence, events, and more                 |
| `Custom Field`         | `Field`              | Custom data attached to a `Person`, like `first_name`, `plan`, or `last_seen_at`        |
| `Campaign`             | `Broadcast`          | A one-time email sent to a specific group or segment                                    |
| `Automation`           | `Flow`               | If-this-then-that workflows — Bento Flows support triggers, delays, branching, and more |
| `Goal`                 | `Event + Flow logic` | Logic conditions inside a Flow that advance a user based on behavior                    |
| `Site/Event Tracking`  | `Event`              | Track pageviews, clicks, custom behavior — all events are first-class in Bento          |
| `Personalization Tags` | `Liquid`             | Dynamic content via [Liquid](https://docs.bentonow.com/liquid_guide) templating         |

 Bento tracks all clicks and visits automatically — no manual link triggers or extra setup needed.

### The Mental Model Shift
`ActiveCampaign:` "Here's a list of Contacts with Tags."

`Bento:` "Here's a person who visited 5 pages, clicked 3 emails, has an LTV of $497, and is currently browsing your pricing page."

## Final Thoughts
This migration will take you 2-4 hours of actual work.

**Remember:**
* Take screenshots before changing anything
* Test with your **own email** first
* Keep ActiveCampaign running during transition
* Document everything for your future self


> If something just doesn't go right, you can always re-import from ActiveCampaign and try again. <br />That's why we keep it running until we're sure.


## Quick Reference
**During Migration:**
* Check Bento's Dashboard
* Monitor deliverability score
* Test forms and integrations
* Send one test email after changes

**Before Canceling ActiveCampaign:**
* All Contacts are imported
* All automations rebuilt
* List is warmed up on Bento
* Forms all working
* Deliverability metrics stable

**Emergency Contacts:**
* Bento Support: [Discord](https://discord.gg/ssXXFRmt5F) | [support@bentonow.com](mailto:support@bentonow.com)
* Status Page: [status.bentonow.com](https://status.bentonow.com)
* API Docs: [docs.bentonow.com](https://docs.bentonow.com)

You've got this. And if you don't? That's what support is for.
*Ship it.*