CSV Files for Bulk Import

The Files.com web interface includes bulk creation features that import multiple records at once from a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file. A CSV file is a standard plain-text format for tabular data, produced by spreadsheet applications or text editors.

Each bulk creation page in the web interface offers a downloadable CSV template. Before creating any records, Files.com validates the uploaded file against the importer's requirements, so problems can be corrected before any changes are made to your site.

CSV Requirements

The first row of a CSV file is a header that names the columns. Every subsequent row is a single record to create, with values in the same column order as the header.

Blank rows are ignored during import. Columns that are omitted or left blank use default values.

Files.com reads only supported column names, which vary based on the type of import. When an unrecognized column is provided, a warning is displayed during validation. If you proceed with the import, any unrecognized column is not imported.

Comment lines (# comment) are not supported. Do not include comment lines in your CSV.

CSV Header Row

The columns can appear in any order, but each data row must follow the order set by the header.

The downloadable template includes a header with all supported column names.

When a column is omitted, the default value for that column is applied to every imported record. See the supported columns table for the specific feature for the default values assigned when a column is not included in the file.

Check the import validation warnings to guard against misspelled column names.

CSV Data Rows

Each record must include a value for the required identifier column. See the documentation for the specific feature for which column is required and must be unique across all rows.

When a column value contains a comma, you must enclose that value in quotes. Use either single or double-quotes; the import automatically detects which is used.

CSV Import Validation

Validation checks the uploaded file for structure, required fields, and data integrity, and reports any errors and warnings before the import runs.

Errors prevent record creation. Warnings indicate issues that may lead to unexpected configuration results. Only valid records are imported, and the import can proceed only when at least one valid record exists in the file.

Address all warnings and errors from the validation step before processing a file.

Common CSV Validation Errors

The error message Your CSV has been examined, but it contains errors as listed below indicates problems with the uploaded file.

Missing Header Row

The CSV file must begin with a header row containing column names. If the header row is missing, every record fails validation.

Unrecognized Column Names

When the header row contains a column that is not one of the supported columns, the validation displays the warning Some column headers in this CSV are not recognized. and lists the unexpected columns. Unrecognized columns are ignored during import, and the default value for each is applied to every imported record. Depending on the column, this can require a tedious manual update to correct after the import.

The importer tolerates unrecognized columns so that files exported from another system, including internal IDs or other legacy fields, can still be processed. The most common cause of the warning, however, is a misspelled column name. If the list includes a misspelled column name, edit your CSV to fix the spelling and re-upload the file.

When you see record data listed as unrecognized column header names, the first row of the file is not a correct header row. Edit your CSV to add the missing header row.

Invalid Record Length

Each data row must contain the same number of columns as the header row. When a data row has the wrong number of columns, the validation shows a message starting with Invalid Record Length: columns length and indicates which row is affected. Missing commas and missing quotation marks are the usual causes.

To leave a column blank for a record, supply the comma , character to indicate the column. If the column count is less than expected, look for missing commas in your CSV file.

When a column value contains a comma, enclose that value in quotes. Use either single or double-quotes; the import automatically detects which is used. If the column count is more than expected, look for unquoted commas within a cell value.

Edit your CSV import file to fix the errors before processing.

Empty Row Warnings

The validation step lists the number of blank lines found in the file as Empty Rows. This is not an error, and you can continue the import as long as at least one valid record will be created.

If you did not expect any blank rows, review your CSV file before importing.