Fix errors in an import file
Filmo rejects your file, blocks the import or creates fewer records than rows: find the cause with the errors file and fix it in your spreadsheet.
People with the edit permission on the module they import into: «Contacts», «Inventory», «Spaces», «Crew», «Transport», «Projects» or «Orders». With view mode the «⋯» menu doesn't show the import, update or export actions.
Filmo won't take your file, won't let you continue past the check, or imports fewer records than your spreadsheet has.
What you'll see
- A message as soon as you upload the file, about its format, size, sheets or headers.
- After «Verify data», the «Errors found in the file» dialog with the rows that fail, and the import button disabled.
- In an update, «Column mismatch error» or «File format error» with the columns that don't match.
- At the end, a result with fewer records than rows, or a number of «Errors».
Why it happens
- This can happen if the file itself isn't valid: another format such as .numbers or .ods, more than one sheet in Excel, a column without a header or two with the same one.
- This can happen if a row breaks a rule: a required value missing, a code or name that doesn't exist, a date or number in the wrong format, or a record you already have.
- This can happen if a name matches several records and you haven't chosen in .
- This can happen in an update if you renamed, added or removed columns, uploaded another export, or touched the column.
How to fix it
- Download the errors In «Errors found in the file», click . You get one row per problem row, with its number, a few values to find it, and what's wrong.
- Fix your source file Correct each row in your spreadsheet, not in the errors file: it doesn't have all the columns and can't be imported.
- Upload it again Start the wizard again with the corrected file and click «Verify data».
- Choose in the conflicts If «Resolve conflicts» opens, pick the right record for each name and confirm.
For an update that rejects the columns, download the current data again from the same update and copy your changes into that file. Each record type's page lists its own messages; the file rules are in Import file formats: CSV, Excel, dates and separators.
Fewer records imported than rows in the file
The result screen only counts. To find the missing rows, compare the list with your file. Then look for the cause:
- This can happen if, in contacts, a row's internal reference already existed. The row is dropped without a warning, and its notes and links go to the existing contact.
- This can happen if, in crew, a whole batch of 100 rows was rejected when saved, for example because someone created one of those people in the meantime. Import the remaining rows again.
- This can happen if, in projects, the project type didn't exist. The row only adds one to «Errors».
- This can happen if, in spaces, some rows had errors: they're left out and the rest is imported.
- This can happen if, in vehicles, two rows in one batch shared a registration: only the first is imported.
- This can happen if, in orders, the import template named in a row wasn't applied. See Import orders from a file.
Other messages
| Message | What to do |
|---|---|
| The file format must be .xlsx or .csv | Save the file as CSV or XLSX. |
| The file is too large. Maximum 10MB allowed. | Split it into several files. |
| The file must not contain multiple tabs; they are not supported | Keep only the sheet with the data. |
| There are duplicate headers: … | Rename or delete one of the columns. |
| Columns … have no header | Name the column or delete it. |
| A row limit message that mentions contacts | The file has more than 100,000 rows. Split it. |
| All the data in one column | The CSV separator wasn't recognized. Upload the XLSX. |
Still stuck?
Try a file with only the failing row: it's the quickest way to see which value is wrong. If you're loading your account for the first time, Import your data into Filmo explains the order that avoids most errors.