To add input data to a PhantomBuster automation, paste a single link or keyword directly into the setup, connect a public Google Sheet with multiple items in column A, or upload a CSV file (paid plans only). You can also use a Leads list from your LinkedIn Leads page, chain results from another Phantom, or connect a HubSpot contact list. This guide covers each method step by step.
Getting an error with your input data? Jump to Fix input data errors below.
Each automation (Phantom and Workflow) needs specific information to run properly, like what profiles to visit, what searches to extract, or what keywords to process. You'll enter this during the first or second step of your automation setup.
For example, you may see: "Profiles to scrape," "Searches to extract," "Tweets to like," or something similar depending on the automation.
Pick your input method
The right method depends on what you're providing and how much:
- One item (a single profile, URL, or keyword) → see Add a single link, keyword, or profile below.
- Multiple items in a list → see Use a Google Sheet as input (recommended) or Upload a CSV file (paid plans only).
- Output from another Phantom → see Chain from another Phantom.
- Leads collected on the LinkedIn Leads page → see Use a Leads list from your LinkedIn Leads page.
- HubSpot contact list → see Use a HubSpot contact list (HubSpot-compatible Phantoms only).
Add a single link, keyword, or profile
Use this when you only need to process one item, like:
- A LinkedIn profile URL, company URL, or search link
- A keyword, like: marketing director Paris
- A single post or tweet URL
Paste it directly into the input field during your automation setup. Your Phantom or Workflow will process that single item and stop when it's done.
Use a Google Sheet as input (recommended)
If you need to process more than one item - like a list of profiles, keywords, or search URLs - a Google Sheet is the easiest option.
"Can't access input spreadsheet" is the most common error in PhantomBuster.
It almost always means your Google Sheet isn't shared publicly. Double-check that sharing is set to "Anyone with the link" - not "Restricted" or "Only people with access."
If you're using a Google Drive link (drive.google.com/...) instead of a Google Sheets link (docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...), that won't work either.
Your Phantom needs the Sheets URL.
How to set it up
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Add your items in column A of a Google Sheet, one per row. If your spreadsheet has a header row, make sure to enter the column name in step 4 - otherwise PhantomBuster will read it as data and process it as an item (for example, searching for "Profile URLs" instead of your actual content).
Example: One LinkedIn profile URL or one keyword per row.
- Make the sheet public:
- Click Share
- Set visibility to "Anyone with the link"
- Copy the sheet URL and paste it into the input step of your automation setup.
- (Optional) If your data is in a different column, or if your spreadsheet has a header row, enter the column name here (for example, "Profile URLs"). The Phantom will use it to identify which column your data is in and read from there.
For LinkedIn Phantoms: To bypass LinkedIn's 1,000-results limit, split your search into multiple URLs and use a spreadsheet to combine them.
PhantomBuster cannot read files stored in cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive.
→ These links are not supported as input. If your data is stored in one of these services, move it to a Google Sheet and use the sheet's public link, or upload a CSV file from your computer (paid plans only).
Upload a CSV file (paid plans only)
You can upload a .csv file as an alternative to Google Sheets. This option is only available on paid plans.
How to upload
- Open your automation's console from the PhantomBuster Dashboard.
- Click the three-dot menu (top right) and select File browser.
- Click Upload files and select your CSV.
- Right-click the uploaded file and choose Copy link address.
- Paste that link into the input step of your automation setup.
Free or trial user? CSV upload is only available on paid plans. You can convert your data to a public Google Sheet and use the link instead - see the section above.
Use other input sources
Depending on your automation, you may also be able to use:
Chain from another Phantom
Use the output of one Phantom as input for another to build automated sequences. This works when the input and output formats are compatible (e.g., both use LinkedIn profile URLs).
→ How to Chain Phantoms to Build Automated Sequences
Use a Leads list from your LinkedIn Leads page
If you've previously collected leads with a compatible Phantom, you can select a Leads list directly during setup.
→ Use and Manage Lead Lists in your Automations
→ How to Create and Filter Lead Lists
LinkedIn users can also import a CSV into the LinkedIn Leads page and reuse it in compatible automations.
→ See How to import LinkedIn leads from a CSV file.
Use a HubSpot contact list
Available with HubSpot-compatible Phantoms. Select a HubSpot list directly during setup.
Start from a specific page in a LinkedIn or Sales Navigator search
By default, search URLs start from page 1. To begin from a later page:
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Option 1: Navigate and copy - In your LinkedIn or Sales Navigator search, click the desired page number in the pagination controls at the bottom. Then copy the updated URL from your browser and paste it into the automation setup.
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Option 2: Edit the URL manually - Add or change the page= parameter in the search URL. For example, to start from page 3:
Make sure the page number exists for your filters. If your search has fewer pages than the one you set, you may get no results.
How your automation processes a list
When you give a Phantom or Workflow a list of items:
- It processes them one at a time, row by row.
- If a launch is interrupted, it picks up where it left off automatically.
- You can control how many rows it processes per launch using the Rows to process per launch setting in the Behavior step.
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Leaving this field empty means the Phantom will attempt to process every row. However, all Phantoms have a maximum runtime of 5 hours per launch. If your list is large, the Phantom will stop at that limit and pick up where it left off on the next launch. For large lists, we recommend setting 5,000 rows per launch and scheduling multiple daily runs.
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Leaving this field empty means the Phantom will attempt to process every row. However, all Phantoms have a maximum runtime of 5 hours per launch. If your list is large, the Phantom will stop at that limit and pick up where it left off on the next launch. For large lists, we recommend setting 5,000 rows per launch and scheduling multiple daily runs.
→ For more options (reset, deduplication, file management): Control Advanced Behavior and Settings.
Fix input data errors
If something went wrong with your input, these guides will help:
| Error or symptom | Guide |
|---|---|
| "Can't access input spreadsheet" / Google Sheet not loading | How to Fix Google Sheets and File Access Errors |
| "Empty input" / "Already processed" | How to Fix Empty and Already Processed Input Errors |
| "Invalid LinkedIn profile URLs in your spreadsheet" | How to Fix Invalid LinkedIn URLs |
| "Missing data on queries" | How to Fix Missing Data on Queries |
| "Dataset too large" | How to Fix the Dataset Too Large Warning |
| "Your Phantom argument isn't valid" | How to Fix Invalid Phantom Argument |
| Not sure what went wrong | Overview of Setup and Data Input Errors |
Watch the video tutorial
Frequently asked questions
Does my Google Sheet need to be public?
Yes. Set sharing to "Anyone with the link." PhantomBuster can't read private or restricted Google Sheets.
Why does my Phantom say "Can't access input spreadsheet"?
This usually means your Google Sheet isn't shared publicly. Open your sheet, click Share, and set access to "Anyone with the link." Also make sure you're using the Google Sheets URL (docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...), not a Google Drive link.
Why can't PhantomBuster read my Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive file?
PhantomBuster only accepts public Google Sheet URLs or uploaded CSV files as input. Files stored in cloud drives (Google Drive links, Dropbox, OneDrive) are not supported. Move your data to a Google Sheet, set it to "Anyone with the link," and paste the sheet URL into your automation setup.
How many rows can a Phantom process per launch?
You control this in the Behavior step of your automation setup. The default varies by Phantom. See Control Advanced Behavior and Settings for details.
What column does the Phantom read from my spreadsheet?
By default, column A. If your data is in a different column, you can select it during the input step of your automation setup.
Can I update my Google Sheet after setup?
Yes. Your Phantom reads the sheet each time it launches. Add new rows and they'll be processed on the next run. Already-processed rows are skipped automatically.