How to Format Phone Numbers for Import into Gorilla 4.x

How to Format Phone Numbers for Import into Gorilla 4.x

QUESTIONS THAT APPLY TO THIS TOPIC

  • How do I format phone numbers for import into Gorilla?

ANSWER

In order for phone numbers to be imported into Gorilla, they need to be in the correct format. 

 


 

To prep your phone numbers for import:

  1. Scroll through your list and look for any phone numbers with an extension, or multiple numbers listed in one field. Delete all extensions. Only the 10 digit number will import. If you have multiple numbers you’ll need to either decide which of the numbers you want to import, or move the phone number to another phone field. If you do this the number will be imported as the phone number listed in the column heading. 
    • For example: a common scenario is that a day and evening phone are listed in the Home Phone Number field. If there isn’t a business number listed, you could move the day time phone number into the business phone number field. If you do this, the phone number you move will import as a business number. If you already have a business number listed, you would need to decide which of the two numbers listed in the home phone field you want to import.
  2. You’ll need to clear all the formatting for the phone numbers.  To clear the formats, highlight the cells in question (It is recommended to do this for all of the phone numbers at once) then on the home tab click the “Clear” drop down arrow and select clear formats.

  3. With the cells still highlighted remove all of the following characters.


    The easiest way to remove those characters is with the “Find and Replace” function.  With the cells still highlighted click “CTRL+F.” Click the Replace Tab. In the “Find what” field type the first character, leave the “Replace with” field empty then click replace all.


    Repeat this process for every character listed above, then move on to step 4.
  4. With the cells still highlighted right click anywhere in the highlighted cells and choose Format Cells.

  5. Click the Number Tab, then select Custom from the left column. In the Type Field, type the following format: ### ###-#### (pound 3x, space, pound 3x, hyphen, pound 4x)

  6. When you’re done all of your phone numbers should be only ten digits, and appear in this format: 123 456-7891. If they look like this, they’re ready to import. If they don’t, you’ll need to start the process over.