Troubleshooting your Data Import

Something unexpected occur while importing?

Updated over a week ago

Importing data is typically a straight forward process, however if do experience an issue with your import, it may well be one of the issues addressed below.

First, let's determine at what stage within the import process did the issue arise:

  • Ready to import- once you've selected the file you want to import, but prior to assigning column headings

  • Processing - while you're assigning column headings

  • Reading File - the first 30% of the import process after you've begun import. Ecanvasser is simply converting your to a format it can make sense of

  • Inserting File - between 30 - 100% of the remaining import process. Ecanvasser is actively adding contacts to your database

  • Geocoding - displaying your addresses on the Ecanvasser map

File Size Limit Exceeded - what does this mean?

The maximum size of a file that you can upload is 50 MB.

Where your file exceeds 50 MB, we recommend that split your import file across smaller-sized files and upload them separately.

Incompatible for Processing - what does this mean?

This can occur when your file has been scanned and flagged as incompatible for processing.

Recommended step:

  • Review your file to ensure that there is only one sheet and remove any styling and filters.

  • If your file is XLSX, try saving it as CSV and upload the CSV file.

  • If your file is CSV, try saving it as XLSX and upload the XLSX file

Inserting Issues - what does this mean?

Where you have uploaded the import file, and the estimated current progress is not displaying or is displaying as 0%, please try the following:

  • Reload the import page as the estimated progress will be re-calculated. This can take a minute or so - Sit tight and it will update!

Processing Error - what does this mean?

This can happen when something has gone wrong during the process of importing your data file. As a result, some of your contacts may have already been created in your contact database, however not all your contacts may have been successfully imported.

Recommended step:

  • Click on your file again to view your column headings, reselect your column to Ecanvasser property mappings and select START IMPORT again.

    Note - If your data file does not contain a Contact ID, after you click Start Import, switch the import option from New to Merge to avoid duplicating those records already in your database.

Limit Exceeded - what does this mean?

This will occur when the file you are importing exceeds your contact limit.

Recommended step:

  • Option 1 - Remove some of the existing contacts and import your file again.

  • Option 2 - Contact our support team via support@ecanvasser.com to discuss purchasing more contact data storage.

Only 196 columns are visible - what does this mean?

This will occur when the file you are importing has more than 196 columns.

Should you have more than 196 columns in your file, the file will be processed however data contained in columns 197 and beyond will be ignored ie only data in the first 196 columns will be included as part of your import.

Recommended step:

  • Review your file and ensure that any data that is needed to be included in your import is contained within the first 196 columns. In the case where it is not, you can copy and paste the data that you want included into a column between position 1 and 196.

Common Upload Issues


Have you uploaded your file, but on the next screen, the loading wheel continued to spin? In this case, check the following:

  • Is your contact file password-protected?
    If so, remove this protection before uploading the file again.

  • Is your data stored in a table within the spreadsheet (commonly represented by the data being stored in rows of contrasting columns)?
    Copy and paste the data to a new workbook, save it as a .CSV, and then upload this file

  • Is your contact file quite large, for example, it has 100,000 rows with 100 columns?
    Consider removing unnecessary data points prior to upload, and saving the document as a CSV in excel prior to upload (if it is currently an XLS/XLSX);
    Alternatively, split your file into two separate files for processing.

Have you uploaded your file, but all the data is appearing in a single column?

  • It sounds as if the file is actually a .TXT file, regardless of any other file type being referenced at the end of it's name.
    If you open your file in excel, you'll find you receive a warning indicating that your file may be corrupted.
    To resolve this, simply click to open the file, and then select File -> Save As, and choose to save it as a .CSV, while also removing any reference to .CSV/.XLSX/.XLS from the files name.
    This version of the file should now be good to upload.

Common Processing Issues

What to do when all of your data is displayed in one column?

  • It may be that your import file is saved as a .TXT file, even if it appears as an Excel file on your desktop.

    Try to open the file in Excel and select Save As, remove any reference to .XLS or similar from the end of the file name, and choose to save as a .CSV

What to do when assigning address columns, you seem to have two different versions of this in your spreadsheet?

  • Different data vendors provide their data in different formats.
    For example, some might have Street as something as 'North Crescent Avenue', while another may have columns structured as: Street Direction: North, Street Name: Crescent, Street Type: Avenue - Ecanvasser provides flexibility for importing such varying files.
    ​Visit Formatting Your File for an exact outline

Common Geocoding Issues

You have included Longitude and Latitude when importing, but all your Houses are displaying in the incorrect place on the map.

  • It sounds as if you may have mis-assigned the Long/Lat columns during import - Drop us a line via the chat function and we'll fix this for you!

Your import has reached 100%, but your Houses aren't appearing on the Map page yet

  • If your file didn't contain long/latt, we have to translate the written address into long/latt - most files complete mapping in 6 - 24 hours.
    Please feel free to check in with us via chat for an estimate on your particular file.

Why do I have Skipped Rows?

Skipped rows will occur whenever a row in your import file is missing a value(s) for any of the required import properties.

The required fields for the import include:

First Name, Surname, Street Name, City/Town, and State.

Any rows that don't have values for the above properties will be skipped and not be imported.

For example, a row that has a blank value for the Street property will not be imported, as Street is a required field.

If you have any questions reach out to us in app, or contact support@ecanvasser.com

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