Import Errors
Fix CSV import problems
CSV Format Issues
The CSV must be properly formatted:
Correct Format
- First row must be column headers
- One location per row
- Comma-separated values
- Text with commas should be quoted
Example of Correct Format
name,address_line1,city,state
"Joe's Coffee, Inc.",123 Main St,New York,NY
Downtown Store,456 Oak Ave,Chicago,IL
Common Mistakes
- Using semicolons instead of commas
- Missing header row
- Extra blank rows at the end
- Inconsistent quoting
Missing Required Fields
Every location needs at minimum:
- name - A name for the location
- address_line1 - The street address
Check your CSV has these columns and every row has values.
Invalid Data Formats
Ensure data is in the correct format:
Coordinates
- Latitude: decimal number between -90 and 90 (e.g., 40.7128)
- Longitude: decimal number between -180 and 180 (e.g., -74.0060)
- Don't include degree symbols or N/S/E/W
Visibility
- Use: true, false, yes, no, 1, or 0
- Don't use: "Active", "Visible", or other text
Phone Numbers
- Any format is accepted
- Include country code if international
Encoding Problems
CSV files must use UTF-8 encoding for special characters:
Symptoms
- Accented characters appear garbled (é becomes é)
- Import fails with encoding errors
- Some rows import incorrectly
Solutions
- Open the CSV in a text editor (not Excel)
- Save As with UTF-8 encoding
- Or in Excel: Save As > CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited)
Large File Issues
Very large files might timeout:
- Split into smaller files (500-1000 locations each)
- Import in batches
- Ensure stable internet connection during import
Re-importing Updated Data
To update existing locations:
- Use the same location name to match existing entries
- Changed data will overwrite the existing location
- New names create new locations
If you're seeing duplicates, check that names match exactly (including spacing and capitalization).