HubSpot Data Disaster Recovery: How to Undo a Bulk Import Gone Wrong
We've all been there. You're working with your HubSpot data, maybe cleaning things up or adding new information, and suddenly… disaster strikes. A bulk import goes wrong, contacts get duplicated, properties are changed incorrectly, and you're left wondering how to undo the damage. A recent HubSpot Community thread highlighted just this scenario, and it's a situation that many HubSpot users, especially those managing e-commerce data, can relate to.
The Dreaded Bulk Import Error
The original poster described a common problem: after downloading contacts to a CSV file, making changes, and re-uploading, they ended up with hundreds of new, unwanted contacts. Attempting to fix it by re-uploading the original file didn't work as expected, and deleting the uploaded files resulted in significant data loss. The question was simple: is there a way to revert HubSpot to its pre-import state?
Immediate Support and Community Solutions
The initial response in the thread involved direct support, with a community moderator offering assistance via private message. While this is helpful for the individual, it doesn't provide a publicly available solution for others facing similar issues.
Thankfully, another community member shared a valuable resource: a link to a HubSpot Community article detailing how to revert bulk property changes by importing historical property values. This method involves using a previously exported CSV file (ideally, a recent backup) to overwrite the incorrect data. It's crucial to have a backup strategy in place before things go wrong. If you are running an e-commerce store using HubSpot, make regular backups of your contact and deal properties related to order management systems ecommerce.
Reverting to a Previous State: Step-by-Step
Here's a breakdown of how to revert your HubSpot data to a previous state using the historical import method:
- Identify the Problem: Pinpoint exactly what went wrong during the import. Which properties were affected? Which contacts were impacted?
- Locate Your Backup: Find the CSV file that contains the correct, pre-import data. This is your lifeline.
- Prepare Your Import File: Ensure the CSV file is properly formatted. It should include the contact's email address (or another unique identifier) and the properties you want to revert.
- Import the File: In HubSpot, go to Contacts > Import. Choose "File from computer" and upload your CSV file.
- Map the Columns: Carefully map the columns in your CSV file to the corresponding HubSpot properties. This is a critical step to ensure the data is imported correctly.
- Choose the Right Import Option: Select the option to "Update existing records." This will overwrite the incorrect data with the data from your CSV file.
- Review and Confirm: Double-check your mapping and settings before confirming the import.
- Monitor the Import: After starting the import, monitor its progress and check for any errors.
Important Considerations:
- This method works best if you have a recent backup of your data. Regular backups are essential for data recovery.
- If you don't have a backup, you may need to manually correct the data, which can be time-consuming.
- For complex data issues, consider contacting HubSpot support for assistance.
Ecommerce app that works inside HubSpot
If you are selling online and using HubSpot, consider an ecommerce app that works inside HubSpot. This helps you keep all your customer and order data in sync, making it easier to manage and recover from data import errors.
ESHOPMAN Team Comment
This HubSpot Community thread highlights the critical importance of data backups, especially when dealing with bulk imports. We at ESHOPMAN strongly recommend implementing a regular backup schedule for your HubSpot data, particularly if you're managing an e-commerce store. While the historical import method is helpful, it's only effective if you have a recent backup to revert to. Native integrations, like ESHOPMAN, can also reduce the risk of data corruption by providing a more seamless data flow.
Data disasters can be stressful, but with the right preparation and a clear understanding of HubSpot's data management tools, you can minimize the impact and quickly recover from mistakes.