topic Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list in Tips, Tricks & Best Practices

Can you convert a static list to an active list

bkmetz — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 16:03:04 GMT

I imported a list into Hubspot. The List is now static. I would like it to be active so that I can add and remove contacts from the list. Is there a way to convert a static list to an active list?

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

Phil_Vallender — Fri, 19 Jun 2020 16:20:56 GMT

Hi @bkmetz

You can't make a static list into an active one. And if you could, I wouldn't recommend that you do that with, or that you add and remove contracts from, you import list - I would keep that as a permanent record of your import.

Furthermore, you can manually add and remove contacts from a static list, whereas with an active list contacts can only be added or removed by meeting or not meeting the list criteria - so it may still be a static list you want, which you could create by cloning your import list.

Hope this helps.

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

LGregory76 — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 14:45:31 GMT

I would like this to an option as well

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

karstenkoehler — Fri, 11 Nov 2022 14:46:05 GMT

Hi @LGregory76,

In the case you're describing, you can easily add the contacts to the static list: https://knowledge.hubspot.com/lists/add-or-remove-contacts-from-a-list#add-or-remove-records-from-a-static-list

Best regards!

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

JRWDevelopment — Sat, 10 Dec 2022 23:14:46 GMT

I don't think this is what anyone is asking for. What we want is the ability to import a list and have that list be an active list. For instance, we have 500 contacts in our main account and a some of them meet the criteria for the list. When we import them to a sandbox account that has a completely different contact list, we want to see if they are correctly added to the list. With an active list, it would automatically update to include the contacts in the sandbox account that meet the criteria for the list.
If we had to manually add the contacts to the list, that would completely defeat the purpose of importing the list to begin with.

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

GEastham — Thu, 02 Nov 2023 14:53:10 GMT

So short answer, not to my knowledge. BUT - you can create a new active list, then set a filter for list membership "is a member" of the imported static list. Then add your additional filters for other criteria. I assume you may have already hit upon this solution since the original post was from last year. At least any new people hitting this topic will also see this potential workaround.

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

JNordh — Fri, 13 Dec 2024 14:22:47 GMT

Totally agree, now I'm stuck with a static omported list, and need to make a new active list, that lists the contacts from the imported one. Seems unnessecary combersome. Why can't I just import contacts into an active list?

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

RRao2 — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 07:00:51 GMT

Hello Karsten,
In one of your replies to "Incorporating active lists to workflow", you have suggested to use static list in the workflow and then separately create an active list with the static list criteria on adding the enrolled contact from the workflow. I have a doubt here, as static lists cannot update by themselves then what is the point of connecting it to the active list even after the criteria in the workflow is met the static list will still be containing the same contact with past history records. For example, I want to send an email whenever a user submits a form and once the email is sent, Later I want to add the enrolled contact to an active list - to get the updated details about the enrolled contact. Then, how would your suggestion work in this usecase?

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

karstenkoehler — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 12:11:22 GMT

Hi @bkmetz and everyone,

Good news, this is now possible. You should find a public beta under Settings > Product updates:

Convert Static Lists to Active Lists

Public Beta

Last updated: April 17, 2025

What is it?

You can now convert static lists to active lists while keeping the list ID and references intact!

Why does it matter?

Previously, after creating a static list, if you discovered that you had applied the wrong filter or wanted to update your list with a new filter, you either had to clone the list or start over. These workarounds are not only time-consuming, but also mean the list ID updates, and you lose all of the references where the list was being used.

How does it work?

Now, you can seamlessly change static lists to active lists while retaining the list ID and list references!

1. Navigate to CRM --> Lists, and click into the static list you wish to convert to an active list.

2. Select the 'Actions' menu in the top right of the page, and select "Convert to active"

3. Note that any manually added records may be removed or manually removed records may be added to the list once it's converted to active

4. Click "Convert"

Now the list will update in real time as records meet the filter criteria!

Learn more in the knowledge base article.

*Note: only static lists with filters are eligible to be converted to active lists.

Who gets it?

All hubs and tiers

Best regards!

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

SalesOpsAndrew — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 18:56:00 GMT

They have finally updated to add this feature!

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

Victor_Becerra — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 19:04:49 GMT

Hi @SalesOpsAndrew , this is fantastic news. Thank you for sharing this update with us. Please let me know if there's anything I can do to support you. Best, Victor

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

RWright45 — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 16:34:36 GMT

I don't have this option at all under actions.

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

Jaycee_Lewis — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 16:58:01 GMT

Hey, @RWright45 👋 I helped another customer with this recently. The root cause for them was some of their Segments (Static) didn't have any filters. This means they cannot be converted: "The selected static segment must include filters to be converted to active.” — Link

This may be the reason you don't see the option for all of your Static Segments. — Jaycee

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

RWright45 — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 20:59:18 GMT

Filters is completely greyed out to where I cannot add any. Thats what I’m trying to do in the first place is add filters.

Re: Can you convert a static list to an active list

Jaycee_Lewis — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 04:46:24 GMT

Hey, @RWright45 Thanks for that detail. When you hover over the greyed-out Add Filter button, you should see a tooltip pop up saying that static segments cannot be edited after they are processed. In this case you'll need to look at a workaround such as creating a new active segment and using the filter of Segment Membership — is a member of — to include the contents of your static segment. — Jaycee