This article is a complete deep dive into everything you need to know about the —from formatting and validation to security and integration.
Select or Comma-separated values (*.csv) . Common Mistakes to Avoid
They are platform-independent. You will never encounter formatting issues (like Excel changing an email to a weird date format).
Creating a viable email list isn't just about typing addresses into Notepad. You must adhere to strict structural rules. A single error can break your import or, worse, damage your sender reputation.
grep -E '^[a-zA-Z0-9._%+-]+@[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\.[a-zA-Z]2,$' email_list.txt > valid_emails.txt
Typically, the structure is one email address per line, like this:
Ensure you have permission to email these users (GDPR/CAN-SPAM compliance). Troubleshooting Common Issues
Using jq in the terminal:
john.doe@example.com jane.smith@example.org newsletter@mybrand.com support@mycompany.net
This is best if you only need the email addresses and no other information.
This creates: "emails": ["user1@x.com", "user2@x.com"]
An is one of the simplest and most universal ways to store, transfer, and back up your contact database. Because it is a "plain text" format, it works on any operating system without requiring specialized software, making it a favorite for marketers who need to move data between different email platforms.
If you prefer a horizontal layout, separate each address with a comma. Ensure you do not add spaces after the commas unless your specific software requires it.
Export your list from your current ESP. Look for options like "Export as CSV" or "Export raw text." Most platforms allow this under "Audience" or "Subscribers" settings.