CSV upload troubleshooting tips

If you’re experiencing problems when uploading CSV files to Graphite Note, this page provides a concise list of common issues and recommended solutions.

1. File Too Large

Symptom: You receive an error indicating that the file exceeds the size limit.

Cause: Graphite Note enforces a maximum 50 MB limit for CSV uploads.

Solution:

• Split the dataset into multiple smaller CSV files.

• Remove unnecessary columns or rows to reduce file size.

• Connect directly to a database (e.g., PostgreSQL, MySQL, BigQuery) for larger datasets.

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2. Incorrect Delimiters or Quoting

Symptom: Data is misaligned, or you see parsing errors.

Cause: Inconsistent delimiter usage (e.g., commas in some rows, semicolons in others) or unescaped quotes.

Solution:

• Ensure a single, consistent delimiter throughout (commas or semicolons).

• Escape or quote fields that contain the delimiter (e.g., "123, Main Street").

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3. Encoding / Special Character Issues

Symptom: Special characters (e.g., accented letters, non-Latin scripts) appear as garbled text or question marks.

Cause: The CSV file is not saved in UTF-8 format.

• Solution:

• Save or export the file in UTF-8.

• Convert the file encoding using a text editor (e.g., VSCode, Notepad++) if CSV UTF-8 is not available in your spreadsheet software.

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4. Missing or Inconsistent Headers

Symptom: Your upload fails, or certain columns are not recognized.

Cause: The first row does not contain meaningful column names, or column names differ between rows.

Solution:

• Always include a header row with consistent, clear column names.

• Avoid special characters or spaces in headers; use underscores or camelCase instead.

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5. Date/Time Format Confusion

Symptom: Dates appear as 0000-00-00 or fail to parse entirely.

Cause: Inconsistent date/time formats (e.g., mixing MM/DD/YYYY with YYYY-MM-DD).

Solution:

• Standardize all date fields to a single format (e.g., ISO 8601: YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM:SS).

• Confirm your spreadsheet application doesn’t convert date formats automatically.

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6. Empty or Corrupted Rows

Symptom: You see blank rows or the upload process halts unexpectedly.

Cause: Hidden rows, line breaks, or a corrupted export process.

Solution:

• Remove any hidden or blank rows in your spreadsheet before exporting.

• Open the CSV in a plain text editor to confirm each row is valid and properly delimited.

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7. Network or Timeout Errors

Symptom: The file upload keeps failing or timing out.

Cause: Unstable internet connection or very large file size near the 50 MB limit.

Solution:

• Split the file if it’s too large.

• Retry on a stronger or wired internet connection.

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Additional Resources

CSV File creating and formatting Learn how to format and encode your CSV files for best results.

Creating a CSV from Excel Step-by-step instructions on exporting your data to CSV format.

Dataset API Explore a code-free approach to sending data directly to Graphite Note without manual file uploads.

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Still Need Help?

If you’ve tried these suggestions and still experience issues, contact our support team by emailing [email protected]. We’re here to help you resolve any CSV upload problems and ensure your data is correctly imported.