How to manually move a contact between stages (and bulk actions)?

Reading time: 3 min

Quick summary: You can move one or multiple contacts between stages in two ways: drag & drop or bulk actions. Manual moves are done in CRM without sending messages.

Two movement methods

Method 1: Drag & drop

Drag & drop allows moving one contact visually from one stage to another.

How to do it:

1. Open concerned pipeline in CRM
2. Click and hold on contact card
3. Drag card to destination stage
4. Release to drop

Advantages

• ✅ Visual and intuitive
• ✅ Instant
• ✅ Ideal for quick adjustments

Limitations

• ❌ One contact at a time
• ❌ Only between stages of same pipeline

Method 2: Bulk actions

Bulk actions allow moving multiple contacts in one action.

How to do it:

1. Open pipeline in CRM
2. Select multiple contacts

• Check boxes next to contacts
• Or select all contacts from a stage

3. Click bulk action

• "Actions" button or context menu

4. Choose action:

• Move to another stage (same pipeline)
• Move to another pipeline
• Add to another pipeline (duplication)
• Delete

5. Validate

Advantages

• ✅ Processes multiple contacts simultaneously
• ✅ Huge time savings
• ✅ Allows complex actions (pipeline change, deletion, etc.)

Available bulk actions

Action 1: Move to another stage (same pipeline)

Scenario: You have 10 contacts in "Contacted" that you want to move to "Follow-up".

Steps:

1. Select 10 contacts
2. Action: "Move to stage"
3. Choose: "Follow-up"
4. Validate

Result: 10 contacts are in "Follow-up".

Action 2: Move to another pipeline

Scenario: You want to move 5 contacts from "Prospects" to "Customers".

Steps:

1. Select 5 contacts
2. Action: "Move to pipeline"
3. Choose: "Customers" pipeline + Stage
4. Validate

Result:

• 5 contacts are removed from "Prospects"
• 5 contacts are added to "Customers"

Action 3: Add to another pipeline (duplication)

Scenario: You want 8 contacts to stay in "Prospects" BUT also be in "Q1 Campaign".

Steps:

1. Select 8 contacts
2. Action: "Add to another pipeline"
3. Choose: "Q1 Campaign" pipeline + Stage
4. Validate

Result:

• 8 contacts stay in "Prospects"
• 8 contacts are also in "Q1 Campaign"

Action 4: Delete multiple contacts

Scenario: You want to clean up 15 irrelevant contacts.

Steps:

1. Select 15 contacts
2. Action: "Delete"
3. Choose:

• Delete from this pipeline only (if contacts in other pipelines)
• OR Delete completely (from all pipelines)

4. Validate

Manual movement vs CRM Campaign

Movement between pipelines: important rules

What's possible

Move between pipelines:

• From any pipeline to any other
• With choice of arrival stage
• Keeping or not in original pipeline (action 2 vs 3)

Rules to respect

Best practices

Recommendations

For quick movements (1-3 contacts):

• Use drag & drop
• More visual and quick

For major reorganizations (10+ contacts):

• Use bulk actions
• Considerable time savings

To follow-up + move:

• Use CRM campaign
• Message + automatic action

Efficient organization

Recommended routine:

1. Each week: Check contacts in "Follow-up needed"
2. Manual drag & drop for adjustments
3. Bulk actions for mass cleanup
4. CRM campaign for scheduled follow-ups

Concrete examples

Example 1: Prospect qualification

Situation: 20 prospects in "Contacted", 8 of which responded positively.

Action:

1. Select 8 contacts who responded
2. Bulk action: "Move to stage"
3. Choose: "Conversation"
4. Validate

Result: Clear organization between contacted prospects vs in conversation.

Example 2: Temporary campaign ended

Situation: "Black Friday" campaign ended, 30 contacts to redistribute.

Action:

1. Select 30 contacts
2. Bulk action: "Move to pipeline"
3. Choose: "Prospects" pipeline + "Q1 Follow-up" stage
4. Validate

Result: "Black Friday" pipeline emptied, contacts transferred to main tracking.

FAQ

Can I undo a manual movement?

No. Once moved, contact doesn't return automatically. You must move them back manually.

Is contact notified when I move them?

No. Manual movements are invisible to contact. No message is sent.

How many contacts can I move at once?

There's no limit for manual movements. However, for performance reasons, avoid moving more than 100 contacts at once.

Can I move a contact from Instagram to Facebook?

No. Facebook CRM and Instagram CRM are completely separate. An Instagram contact can only be moved in Instagram pipelines.

Need help?

If you have questions about contact movements, our support team is available:

• Email: support@novalya.com
• Ticket Center: Available from your Novalya space

We typically respond within 2 hours during business days.

Updated on: 27/03/2026