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Groups import uses a template-based workflow (provider code: template) for creating Planning Center group memberships.

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Prerequisites

  • Connected Planning Center account (setup guide)
  • Active Groups product subscription (billing)
  • Existing groups already present in Planning Center Groups

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Workflow

  1. In Import Home, choose Groups.
  2. Open Download and download the groups template.
  3. Fill the template.
  4. Upload your file (.csv, .xls, .xlsx; max 50 MB).
  5. Wait for upload processing.
  6. Resolve unresolved records on the Import screen.
  7. Complete the batch.
Groups import does not have a separate setup-options step like giving.

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Template Columns

Column NameRequiredNotes
Group NameYesMust match an existing Planning Center group name (case-insensitive).
RoleYesMust resolve to leader or member.
First NameYesUsed for person matching.
Last NameYesUsed for person matching.
Remote IDNoMust be an unsigned integer when provided.
EmailNoImproves matching.
Phone NumberNoImproves matching (normalized internally).
Joined AtNoParsed using supported date formats.

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Role Rules

  • Any value containing leader (case-insensitive) is treated as leader.
  • member is valid.
  • Other values are invalid and fail upload validation.

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Person Matching Behavior

For groups batches, Port processes matching with:
  • ShouldUseRemoteID = true
  • ShouldStrictMatchPerson = true
  • ShouldAutoCreatePerson = false
You can still create a person manually from the Import screen per unresolved row.

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What Gets Imported

Each valid row creates or confirms a membership in Planning Center with:
  • Group
  • Person
  • Role
  • Optional joined date