Removing massive amount of bad imports

[Qtom]

So, I happened to import 12,000+ contacts and well...It's all bad data. 

I've searched for the forum, but I can see how to filter by created date and delete 100 at a time, but you can imagine how long this will take. 

Is there any way to do a massive bulk delete? 

Thanks, everyone. 

[Phil_Vallender · Accepted solution]

Hi @Qtom

Any time you check the box at the top of a contact filter or list, an option will appear allowing you to select all the contacts in the list. Once you have them all selected, you can do a mass delete. 

This is described in more detail here: How to delete a list of contacts under the section '3. Delete contacts in your list'

Hope this helps.

[Qtom]

Awesome! 

I didn't even notice it, but after I selected it, the "Select all XXXXXX contacts" was in the table area... I was expecting it to be in the same heading area as the checkbox with options, which is why I missed it. 

Got it! 

Thanks for all the replies!

[bradmin]

Hi, @Qtom. Go to the lists tool, and click the Imports button to find your prior imports. Select the appropriate list, and from the Contacts tab on that list, click the checkbox which selects all contacts on screen. Then, choose the "select all" option to select all other contacts on the list, then delete. 

If you need a record of the import in your portal, create a static list instead, and make its criteria anyone who's a member of the import, then repeat the above steps. This option is not available from a smart list, so ensure you're selecting a static list when you build.

[MFrankJohnson]

@bradmin

?? Don't all imports auto-create a static list (by default). ??

[bradmin]

@MFrankJohnson, yes, absolutely. My own preference, even on a goof, is to use the static list approach. I can put a unique name on the list which indicates it was used for deleting the import, and stuff it into a folder of lists for one-time uses, just to keep things straight.

That's my own personal preference, and isn't any more valid than simply doing the same from the imported list itself. I'd just rather keep the import and clean-up job separate, but it's immaterial as far as the functionality of the deletes are concerned. 

[MFrankJohnson]

@bradmin>"I can put a unique name on the list which indicates it was used for deleting the import, and stuff it into a folder of lists for one-time uses, just to keep things straight."

Yes. Thank the data gods for organized minds. Can always use more of those. haha