HubSpot Free CSV over 20 MB: split it before import

Use a target below the 20 MB free-tools limit

HubSpot documents a 20 MB import-file limit for accounts using only its free tools. Split the CSV to a target around 19 MB so a later edit does not push a part over the limit.

• File is larger than 20 MB: split by size.
• Properties do not map: check the header names and object type.
• The same email or record ID occurs twice: deduplicate before the import.

• Find CSV rows with inconsistent column counts →Diagnose malformed rows before uploading them to a platform.
• Remove duplicate records before importing →Check duplicate IDs or email addresses before you create a second record.

Separate object types and property mappings

HubSpot imports require a header row whose names map to HubSpot properties. Keep contacts, companies, deals, or tickets in the file structure expected by the import flow; splitting a mixed file does not fix an incorrect mapping.

• Confirm the account plan because import limits vary by subscription.
• Keep one sheet exported as CSV and keep the same property headers in every part.
• Use email or record ID consistently when updating existing records.

Create smaller import files

LocaCSV keeps the data in the browser, preserves quoted fields, and reports the row count for every output part.

1. 1Export the HubSpot data and keep the original file unchanged.
2. 2Open LocaCSV's size split workspace and select the CSV.
3. 3Enter a target of 19 MB or lower, then run the split.
4. 4Open the first part in a text editor or spreadsheet and confirm the property headers before importing.

Verify before starting the HubSpot import

• Every file is below the plan-specific limit.
• The object type and property headers are consistent across all files.
• The sum of rows equals the original export count.
• A small test import maps the expected email, ID, and association fields.

• Find CSV rows with inconsistent column counts →Diagnose malformed rows before uploading them to a platform.
• Remove duplicate records before importing →Check duplicate IDs or email addresses before you create a second record.

Choose the next fix from the error

If HubSpot rejects a part that is below 20 MB, inspect its headers and delimiters instead of shrinking it again. If records are duplicated, remove duplicates and preserve the original export for rollback.

• Find CSV rows with inconsistent column counts →Diagnose malformed rows before uploading them to a platform.
• Check or convert the CSV character encoding →Use this when Japanese, Korean, or accented text is garbled after export.
• Remove duplicate records before importing →Check duplicate IDs or email addresses before you create a second record.

Move from a large export to a controlled import

Once each part passes the size and header checks, import them in order and record the created or updated count from HubSpot after each batch.