How do I manually add or remove contacts from an automation?

Available on all ActiveCampaign plans.

Contacts enter automations when they match the start conditions you set, but you can also add contacts to an active automation or end their current automation runs. This article explains the available methods so you can choose the correct starting point for one contact or a group of contacts.

Take note

• You cannot add contacts to an inactive automation
• Adding contacts starts the automation at once
• Ending a run stops the remaining actions in that run
• Review your selection before you confirm an action that adds or removes contacts

Add one or more contacts from the automation builder

Use the automation builder when you already know which automation should receive the contacts.

1. Click Automations on the left menu.
2. Open the automation.
3. Set the automation to Active.
4. Click Add contacts to this automation next to the start trigger.
5. Choose an option:
   • Click Add specific contacts to select individual contacts
   • Click Use a segment of contacts to add contacts who match segment conditions
6. Select the contacts or create the segment.
7. Review the options that prevent contacts from entering again.
8. Click Add contact(s).

The contacts enter the automation at once.

Add one contact from the contact record

Use the contact record when you are already reviewing an individual contact.

1. Click Contacts on the left menu.
2. Open the contact record.
3. Find the Automations section.
4. Click Add.
5. Select the active automation.
6. Click Okay.

End runs from the automation builder

Use Manage Contacts to end one run, every current run for a contact, or duplicate runs.

The available action depends on whether the contact has one current run or several overlapping automation runs.

1. Click Automations on the left menu.
2. Open the automation.
3. Click Manage Contacts.
4. Find the contact.
5. Choose an action:
   • Click View Run(s), expand a run, then click End Run to end one run
   • Click the dropdown arrow next to View Run(s), then click End Current Run(s) to end every current run
   • Click the dropdown arrow next to View Run(s), then click Manage Duplicates to keep one run or end them all
6. Review the confirmation, then confirm the action.

Learn how to manage contacts, runs and duplicates in an automation.

End an automation from the contact record

You can also stop a contact's progress from their contact record.

1. Click Contacts on the left menu.
2. Open the contact record.
3. Find the Automations section.
4. Click the automation you want to end.
5. Click End.

The contact will not complete the remaining actions in that run.

Add a group from the Contacts page

Use Advanced Search and the Bulk Editor when you need detailed segment conditions.

1. Click Contacts on the left menu.
2. Click Advanced Search in the search field.
3. Create the segment conditions, then click Search.
4. Review the matching contacts, then click Edit All.
5. Click Add to an Automation.
6. Select the automation, then click Add.
7. Click Apply.

Remove a group from the Contacts page

Use the Bulk Editor to end an automation for a group found through Advanced Search.

1. Click Contacts on the left menu.
2. Click Advanced Search in the search field.
3. Create the segment conditions, then click Search.
4. Review the matching contacts, then click Edit All.
5. Click Remove from an automation.
6. Select the automation, then click Remove.
7. Click Apply.

The selected contacts will not complete the remaining automation actions.