Does an import update records that already exist?
Updated October 19, 2026
Yes. Before it writes a row, the import looks for a record that already has the same value in one of your unique fields, like Email or LinkedIn. What it does with a match depends on the Behavior step.
How a row finds its record
- The import compares every unique field you mapped that has a value in the row. By default, these are Email, LinkedIn, Telegram and WhatsApp for people, and Name, Website and LinkedIn for companies.
- If your file has a column of Breakcold record IDs (from the API, for example), map it to Record ID and the row is matched on that ID too.
- A row that matches exactly one record updates it. A row whose values point to different records fails with an error, and nothing is written for it.
The three behaviors
Choose one on the Behavior step, under Create or update records:
| Behavior | Row matches a record | Row matches nothing |
|---|---|---|
| Create and update (default) | Updates it | Creates a record |
| Create only | Skips the row | Creates a record |
| Update only | Updates it | Skips the row |
Under When a row fails, Continue the import keeps going and lists the failed rows. Stop the import halts at the first failed row; the rows already imported stay.
When no unique field is mapped
When you click Continue on Map columns without mapping a unique field, a warning opens: This import may create duplicates. It lists the columns to map. Click Go back to map one, or tick I understand this import may create duplicates. and click Continue import. Every row then creates a new record.
Good to know
- An update only writes the cells that have a value. Empty cells in the file don't erase anything, and multi-select values are added to the ones already there.
- The linked company of a person (the Company → … columns) is matched the same way and created when no company matches, whatever the behavior.
FAQ
Can I re-import the same file to fix a few values?
Yes. Keep the unique column, like Email, in the file, choose Update only, and only the matching records change.
Why did my import create duplicates?
No unique field was mapped, or the values differ slightly from the ones in Breakcold (another email address, another LinkedIn URL). Merge the pairs and map a unique field next time.
Related
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