Can Android import contacts from an Excel file?

Not from .xlsx directly. Either import a CSV into Google Contacts so it syncs to the phone, or convert the spreadsheet to a .vcf file and use Import from file in the Contacts app.

Google Contacts says my CSV is invalid or puts data in the wrong fields. What now?

Google expects its own column names. Convert the spreadsheet to a .vcf instead; Google Contacts and Android import .vcf files without needing exact column names.

Where is Import in the Android Contacts app?

In the Google Contacts app tap Fix and manage, then Import from file. Samsung Contacts has it under the menu, Manage contacts, Import contacts. Names vary by phone maker.

How to import contacts from Excel to Android

Android keeps contacts in your Google account (or the phone maker's account). There are two free ways to get a spreadsheet in: import a CSV into Google Contacts, or convert to a .vcf and import it on the phone. The .vcf route works even when Google rejects your column names.

Way 1: convert to .vcf and import on the phone

Open the free CSV & Excel to vCard converter and drop in your .xlsx or .csv. Check the column matches and download the .vcf. It runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
Copy the .vcf to the phone (email it to yourself, Google Drive, or USB into Downloads).
In the Contacts app tap Fix & manage then Import from file (Samsung: menu, Manage contacts, Import contacts).
Pick the .vcf and the account to save to. Choose your Google account so the contacts are backed up.

Open the converter

Free for up to 50 contacts per file. Unlimited is a $15 one-time Pro unlock (coming soon).

Way 2: import into Google Contacts on a computer

Save the sheet as CSV UTF-8 in Excel (File, Save As).
Open contacts.google.com with the same Google account as the phone and click Import.
Choose the CSV (or the .vcf from Way 1) and click Import. The contacts sync to the phone within a few minutes.

Google maps CSV columns by name. If yours are called something like Cell or Full Name, fields can land in the wrong place or be dropped. A .vcf avoids that, because the converter lets you match each column yourself.

Tips

Format phone columns as Text in Excel so numbers keep leading zeros and do not turn into 1.23E+10.
Imported contacts land in a label like "Imported on [date]" in Google Contacts, which makes it easy to undo or delete a bad import.
Google Contacts has Merge & fix to combine duplicates after importing.

Using an iPhone? See how to import contacts from Excel to iPhone. Need a spreadsheet from your phone's contacts? Use the VCF to Excel & CSV converter.

FAQ

Can Android import an Excel file directly?

Not an .xlsx. Use a CSV through Google Contacts, or convert to .vcf and import from file.

Google says my CSV is invalid or puts data in the wrong fields.

Google expects its own column names. Convert to .vcf instead and import that; the column names no longer matter.

Where is Import on my phone?

Google Contacts app: Fix & manage, Import from file. Samsung: menu, Manage contacts, Import contacts. Other brands use similar names under Settings in the Contacts app.

Are my contacts uploaded when I convert?

No. The converter runs in your browser and never sends contact data to a server.