> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.messagedesk.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Import, Export & Search Message History

> Import contacts and historical SMS messages, then search, filter, and export your full MessageDesk message history from the Data Center.

# Data Center

The **Data Center** is your hub for managing workspace data in MessageDesk. It has two tabs:

* **Import:** upload CSVs of contacts and historical messages, map fields, resolve duplicates, and monitor progress.
* **Message History:** search, filter, and export every message sent or received in your workspace.

<Tip>
  Looking to **view or export existing messages**? Jump to [Message History](#message-history). To export a **single conversation** directly from the Inbox toolbar, see [Export a conversation](/inbox/export-conversation).
</Tip>

***

## Access the Data Center

Go to **Account → Settings → Data Center** (under **Workspace Settings**), then choose the **Import** or **Message History** tab.

<Note>
  **Don't see Data Center?** Your role may not include access. Ask an Admin or Manager to adjust your permissions.
</Note>

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/-9iksRepNUJETM6k/images/data-center-1.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=-9iksRepNUJETM6k&q=85&s=14a0eb85ebb855c0a360e7f2bc94c1d6" alt="Data Center 1" width="3372" height="2004" data-path="images/data-center-1.png" />
</Frame>

***

## How to import contacts

Build your contact list quickly by uploading a **CSV** and mapping it to MessageDesk fields.

### Start an import

1. Open **Settings → Data Center**.
2. Click **Start Import**.
3. Choose your **.csv** file and upload.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/-9iksRepNUJETM6k/images/import-contacts.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=-9iksRepNUJETM6k&q=85&s=d2d33e188d5da6dfebb51cf2fbfa02f7" alt="Import Contacts" width="1626" height="1478" data-path="images/import-contacts.png" />
</Frame>

### Map your columns

* Columns that match MessageDesk field names **auto-map**.
* Adjust mapping manually as needed.
* You can map [custom fields](/settings/workspace-settings/custom-fields). Make sure the CSV data type matches the field type.

### Review duplicates and errors

* **Duplicates** (by **email** or **phone**) are **updated** with the values in the import. Only mapped columns with a value are updated. Empty cells leave existing fields unchanged.
* **Invalid data** (e.g., bad phone/email format) is reported so you can fix and re-upload.
* Problem rows are **skipped** during processing.

### Monitor progress

After you start the import, you'll see the real-time status. When complete, a summary shows total **processed**, **imported**, **skipped**, and any **error reasons**.

<Note>
  See [**Create and Import Contacts**](/contacts/create-import) for a step-by-step walkthrough.
</Note>

***

## How to import messages

Preserve conversation context by importing **past SMS** from any platform or service into MessageDesk.

### Start a message import

1. Open **Settings → Data Center**.
2. Click **Start Import**.
3. Upload your **.csv** file.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/-9iksRepNUJETM6k/images/import-messages.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=-9iksRepNUJETM6k&q=85&s=a01394f901960ffda6e170d80eb3d248" alt="Import Messages" width="1632" height="1522" data-path="images/import-messages.png" />
</Frame>

### Map your data

* Map CSV columns to MessageDesk **message fields** (timestamp, direction, phone number, text, channel/line).
* Review and confirm the mapping for accuracy.

### Validate, review, and import

* Preview parsed messages and fix any errors the validator surfaces.
* Click **Import** to start processing. A bottom banner flags pre-import issues (if any).

### Supported message types

* **Outbound (sent)** messages.
* **Inbound (received)** messages.
* **1-on-1** conversations.
* **Group** conversations.

<Warning>
  **Not supported for message import.** Media attachments (images, videos, files) and internal comments.
</Warning>

### How message import works

* **Automatic conversation creation:** If a conversation doesn't exist for a row, MessageDesk creates it.
* **Existing conversations:** Rows match into existing threads when possible.
* **Channel requirement:** Messages can only be imported into **outbound channels that already exist** in your workspace.

***

## File requirements and limits

**Format**

* **CSV only** (`.csv`).
* **UTF-8** encoding.
* Include a **header row**.
* Each row must have the **same number of columns** as the header.

**Required data**

* For **contacts**: At least one method: **email** *or* **phone**
* For **messages**: Required fields typically include **timestamp**, **direction** (inbound/outbound), **phone number(s)**, **message text**, and **channel/line identifier**

**Validation**

* Emails must be a valid email format.
* Phone numbers must be valid **E.164** (`+15551234567`).
* [Custom fields](/settings/workspace-settings/custom-fields) must match their **defined type**.
* Duplicate detection runs on **email** and **phone** (contact imports).

**Limits**

* **Max rows per file:** **5,000**
* **Max file size:** **10 MB**
* **Platform:** **Web only** (imports aren't supported on mobile or desktop apps)

If a limit is exceeded, you'll see errors like **"CSV file is too large"** or **"Imports are only supported on web."**

***

## What gets imported

* **Contacts**
* [**Custom fields**](/settings/workspace-settings/custom-fields) (when mapped)
* **Messages** (text content only. No media or internal comments.)

<Info>
  **Coming soon.** More workflows (labels, opt-outs). Watch the Data Center for new options.
</Info>

***

## Message History

The **Message History** tab is a searchable, filterable archive of every message in your workspace. Use it to audit conversations, build reports, or export filtered slices to **CSV** or **PDF**.

### Access message history

Go to **Settings → Data Center → Message History**.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/-9iksRepNUJETM6k/images/message-history.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=-9iksRepNUJETM6k&q=85&s=3ff30c7af2cdd1a97a944039a5df0924" alt="Message History" width="3372" height="2004" data-path="images/message-history.png" />
</Frame>

### Filter your messages

Narrow the list using the filter controls at the top of the tab. Available filters:

* **Date range:** limit results to a specific window
* **Direction:** inbound or outbound
* **Channel/line:** the phone number or channel the message was sent on
* **Contact:** messages tied to a specific contact
* **Label:** conversations carrying a given [label](/inbox/labels)
* **User/agent:** messages sent by a specific teammate
* **Status:** delivery state (e.g., delivered, failed)

### Search within results

Use the **search bar** to run a free-text search across the messages currently shown. Search runs **on top of your active filters**, so you can drill into a filtered slice rather than the entire archive.

### Export your text message history to CSV or PDF

<Frame>
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/messagedesk/-9iksRepNUJETM6k/images/export-csv-pdf.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=-9iksRepNUJETM6k&q=85&s=d64ea18d18b5be459db66b1fa38a6ac6" alt="Export Csv Pdf" width="684" height="654" data-path="images/export-csv-pdf.png" />
</Frame>

Click **Export** to download a CSV of the current view. Use CSV exports for **data analysis, reporting, and bulk archiving**. For a shareable, human-readable record, use **PDF** instead.

<Warning>
  Exports include **only the messages that match your active filters and search**. Adjust filters before exporting if you need a broader set.
</Warning>

<Note>
  Once your export finishes processing, you'll see an in-app notification that reads **"Export Available"**. Click the notification to download your `.csv` or `.pdf` file.
</Note>

Use PDF exports to create **shareable, human-readable records** of a conversation or a filtered slice of message history. Useful for audits, compliance reviews, or sharing context with stakeholders.

* **From a conversation.** Open the conversation in the Inbox, click the **⋯ More Options** menu in the conversation toolbar, and choose **Export → PDF**. See [Export a conversation](/inbox/export-conversation) for the full per-conversation flow.
* **From Message History.** Apply your filters in **Settings → Data Center → Message History**, then choose **Export to PDF**.

PDF exports include the full message thread with timestamps, participants, direction, and inline previews of supported media.

**Media handling**

* **Renderable media** (images and other formats supported in PDF) is embedded inline.
* **Non-renderable media** (videos and other unsupported file types) is replaced with a direct **S3 link to the file** and the note **"Could not load preview"** so the attachment stays accessible from the PDF.

### Permissions

Message History is available to roles with access to the Data Center (typically **Admin** and **Manager**). Ask an Admin to adjust your role if you don't see the tab.

## Frequently asked data import and export questions

### What file types can I upload?

**CSV only.** Export Excel files (`.xlsx`) to CSV first.

### Do contacts need both email and phone?

No. Each row must include **at least one**: **email** or **phone** (you can include both).

### How are duplicates handled on contact import?

We check **email** and **phone**. When a row matches an existing contact, that contact is **updated** with the values from the import. Updates only apply to columns you mapped, and only when the mapped column has a value. Empty cells leave existing fields unchanged. Updates apply to standard fields (name, email, phone, address, etc.) and custom fields.

### Why did some rows fail?

Common reasons: invalid email/phone format, missing required fields, custom field type mismatch, or a channel that doesn't exist (for message imports). Fix and re-upload.

### Can I import more than 5,000 rows?

Split your data into multiple CSV files. Each file can hold **up to 5,000 rows** and **≤ 10 MB**.

### Can I import from mobile?

No. Imports are **web-only**. Use a desktop browser.

**What's the difference between Inbox search and Message History?**\
The [Inbox](/inbox/filter-search-sort) is for working live conversations. **Message History** is the workspace-wide archive built for audit, reporting, and bulk export.

**What format are exports in?**\
**CSV** for data and reporting, or **PDF** for shareable conversation records.

**Are media attachments included in exports?**\\

* **CSV exports.** No. CSV files contain message text and metadata only.
* **PDF exports.** Renderable media (images) is embedded inline. Non-renderable media (videos and other unsupported types) is replaced with a direct S3 link and a **"Could not load preview"** note.

***

## Best practices

* **Normalize phone numbers** to **E.164** before upload.
* **Clean your data.** Dedupe and validate emails to cut skips.
* **Test with a small CSV** (10–20 rows) to confirm mapping and validation.
* **Keep a backup** of your source CSV and **import results** for audit.