# Add Contacts Manually (Optional)

Optional: add contacts to a Follow-up list manually, from an Excel file, or from WhatsApp. Triggers are the safer way.

Besides [triggers](/dashboard/whatsapp/follow-up/trigger), you can add contacts to a list yourself. This **isn't recommended** for WhatsApp connected by QR code.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Why isn't it recommended?** Contacts you add yourself may never have chatted with you, yet an active campaign starts messaging them right away. WhatsApp tends to limit numbers that often message people they haven't interacted with. Contacts from triggers are safer, because they contacted you first.

To reach many existing contacts with more peace of mind, use [WhatsApp Official Follow Up](/crm/whatsapp/follow-up) in the CRM, which uses official message templates.
{% endhint %}

If you still want to add contacts, start small, pick people who already know your business, and test first with your personal number (not the number connected to the agent). If the list already has an active campaign, new contacts get the first step's message right away.

#### 1. Open the list and click Add contact

Open the list from **WhatsApp** › **Follow-up**.

![The Add contact button](/assets/dashboard/whatsapp/fus-d0-tambah-kontak.png)

1. Click **Add contact**.

***

#### 2. Choose how

![Ways to add contacts](/assets/dashboard/whatsapp/fus-d1-cara-tambah.png)

1. Choose one:
   - **Add manually**: enter one contact's name and number.
   - **Import from a file**: upload an Excel file (.xlsx) with *Name* and *Phone Number* columns, up to 40 MB. Click **Download template** for an example. Numbers without a country code are treated as Indonesian numbers.
   - **Import from WhatsApp**: every contact from the connected WhatsApp's chats joins the list. Contacts already there are skipped.
   - **Import from a WhatsApp group**: every member of the group you choose joins the list.

***

#### 3. Add a contact manually

![Add a contact manually](/assets/dashboard/whatsapp/fus-d2-manual.png)

1. **Name**: the contact's name.
2. **Phone number**: choose the country code, then enter the number.
3. Click **Add**. Click **Choose another way** to go back to the previous choices.

***

#### 4. Check the result

A **Contact added** notice appears.

![The contact in the list](/assets/dashboard/whatsapp/fus-d3-kontak.png)

1. The contact shows up in the table, with their number, the last campaign step they received, and when they were added. If the campaign is active, this contact starts receiving the first step right away.

Click **⋯** on a contact's row to **Move**, **Edit**, or **Remove from list**. The **More** menu above the table has **Export contacts**, **Remove all contacts**, **Rename list**, and **Delete list**.

## Troubleshooting

| Message | Fix |
| --- | --- |
| *This contact is already in the list.* | There's no need to add them again. |
| *This is the agent's own WhatsApp number.* | Use another number. The number connected to the agent can't be a contact. |
| Some import rows failed | Usually because the contact is already in the list, or the row is empty. Check the file, then import again. |