# Add your guests

> Add guests one by one or import a spreadsheet, and give guests plus-ones.

- Where: Event → People
- Console path: https://aaa.attend.vip/{org}/{event}/people
- Do first: [Create your event](https://www.attend.vip/help/organizers/create-event.md)
- Attend MCP tools: `guests__importGuests`, `guests__createGuests`, `guests__batchCreateGuests`, `guests__bulkAddFromLists`, `guests__guestsGrantPlusOnes`, `guests__guestsAddPlusOne`
- Updated: 2026-10-19

Adding a guest doesn't email them. Guests are added as **Draft** and hear nothing until you [send invites](https://www.attend.vip/help/organizers/send-invites.md). Add everyone first, check the list, then send.

## Add one guest

1. On **People**, select **New guest**.
2. Enter **First name**, **Last name** and **Email**. **Title** and **Company** are optional.
3. Leave **Send their invite email now** unticked unless you're ready.
4. Select **Add guest**.

> **Check the email address carefully.** It can't be changed after the guest is added, because their invite and login are tied to it.

## Import a spreadsheet

1. On **People**, open the **⋮** menu and choose **Import guests**.
2. Select **Download template** if you're starting from scratch. It has the columns Attend recognises.
3. Upload your file: **CSV, XLS or XLSX**, up to 2 MB and 2,000 rows. Only the first sheet is read, and the first row must be the column headings.
4. Check the **Field mapping**. Attend matches common headings automatically (for example "E-mail" or "Surname"). Select **Auto-map** to redo it, or pick columns yourself. **Email** is required, plus a name (a full name or a first name).
5. Choose a **Default status**. Use **Invite later** to add guests without emailing anyone yet.
6. Review the preview. The **Needs attention** count shows rows with a missing name, an invalid email, or an email that appears twice in the file. Each row's problem is shown next to it.
7. Select **Import guests**.

![The Import guests sheet](https://www.attend.vip/help/img/organizers/import-guests.webp "Capture the 'Import guests' sheet after uploading the template with ~10 realistic rows: Field mapping auto-mapped, Default status = Invite later, counters showing Rows/Ready/Needs attention with one 'invalid email' row.")

> **Re-importing is safe.** The preview checks every email against your guest list, so guests who are already there are marked **Already on list**. You can skip them, or update their name, title and company. Their RSVP status is never changed.

### Columns Attend recognises

| Column | Also matches |
|---|---|
| Email (required) | Email address, E-mail, Mail |
| Full name | Name, Guest name, Attendee name |
| First name / Last name | Given name / Surname, Family name |
| Job title | Title, Role, Position |
| Company | Organization, Employer |
| Status | RSVP, Invite status |

A **Status** column overrides the default for that row. "Confirmed" adds them as already going, "Send invite" emails them during import, and "Later" adds them as a draft.

### Details from past events

The import can also carry **Diet**, **Allergies**, **Dietary notes**, **Shirt size** and **Accessibility** columns. These are saved to your contact records and pre-fill each guest's forms. Guests confirm them, and anything they enter themselves wins.

## Plus-ones

To let a guest bring someone, open their record and go to the **Plus-ones** tab. Enter how many guests they can bring and select **Grant**. If the guest has the app, they get a push notification and can invite their plus-one from the app's home screen. No email is sent.

You can also add a plus-one for them: select **Add +1**, fill in their details, then **Add + invite**. This emails the plus-one their invite straight away. A plus-one gets their own invite, login and schedule.

## Do it with Claude or ChatGPT

With Attend connected (https://www.attend.vip/help/organizers/connect-ai/), paste:

```text
Using Attend, add these guests to my event [event name] without sending any invites yet:
[First name, Last name, Email, Company]
[First name, Last name, Email, Company]
Skip anyone who is already on the guest list, and show me a preview of who you'll add before doing it.
```