The following table lists the
possible errors or warnings that can appear upon uploading your
csv file, along with details of the steps on what to do next.
Type |
Description |
Further
information |
Error |
"filename.ext"
- file type is not currently supported and could not be
uploaded. Supported file types are .csv only. |
AlphaVAT
supports .csv file types only and attempting to upload
any other type of file will result in this error. The
files indicated should be deleted. |
Error |
"filename.csv"
- failed to process the file |
Upon
upload, AlphaVAT converts the data from csv to xml format
for the purposes of the VAT Return calculation. This message
will be returned where an error arises at any point during
this conversion process. Check that the uploaded file
is in standard csv format. There should be a single heading
row, followed by a table of data. |
Error |
"filename.csv"
- could not find header row |
AlphaVAT
could not identify a header row or any transaction level
data. This message will typically be displayed where the
uploaded file is empty. |
Warning |
"Column
name" has "x" empty cells. We can continue
but please check that "Column name" column displays
the correct values |
This
warning will appear where the data contains a column that
is missing entries for one or more rows. A warning is
displayed as this can potentially be an indicator of incomplete
or missing data, and this may also adversely affect filtering
at the later Map files stage.
The
data should be reviewed to ensure that the missing fields
are expected. There is no need to replace the file where
this is the case. |
Warning |
We
have detected that the column "Column name"
has a small number of values that do not match the majority.
Please review that this is expected before proceeding.
OR
"Column
name" has a mixture of data types, we have set it
as a "Type" but please check that "Column
name" column displays the correct values. |
As
part of the validation process, AlphaVAT attempts to recognise
the format of the contents of each column, such as text,
dates, or numbers. These warning will appear where a column
includes certain values that do not match the format of
the majority, or, in the case of the second message, where
there is a complete mix if data types. This can potentially
be an indicator of invalid data.
The
data should be reviewed to ensure that the data types
are expected. There is no need to replace the file where
this is the case.
Example:
A "Reference" column may consist predominantly
of numeric codes but with a limited number of alphanumeric
equivalents. This would be valid and expected. However,
including text or dates in a column that will be used
for the VAT Return calculation (i.e., the "Net"
or "VAT" columns) will result in a calculation
error. |
Warning |
Couldn't
find transaction data |
AlphaVAT
has failed to find any transaction data in the uploaded
file (e.g. where a csv file with only a header row and
no data is uploaded).
A
warning is produced on the basis that the VAT Return calculation
may still be run, but this file will not impact the calculation
as it does not contain any data.
The
data should be reviewed to ensure that the column headings
are expected. |
Warning |
Empty
header found on column "x". Header name changed
to "Column_x" |
A
particular column in the data does not have a heading
and so AlphaVAT has given it a generic heading as part
of the validation process.
A
warning is produced on the basis that this column can
still be used for filtering, and the VAT Return calculation
may still be run, but a missing column name can potentially
be an indicator of incomplete or missing data.
The
data should be reviewed to ensure that the column headings
are expected. |
Warning |
Duplicated
headers for "Column name" these have been renamed
to "Column name_Column_x"
|
Columns
with the same name have been detected in the data. AlphaVAT
will automatically amend the name of the second or subsequent
duplicated columns in order to avoid errors potentially
occurring at the filtering stage.
A
warning is produced on the basis that the VAT Return
calculation may still be run, but duplicated columns can
potentially be an indicator of incomplete or missing data.
Note
that this validation works on a case-sensitive basis -
i.e. columns with the name "Net" and "net"
will not be highlighted by this validation. |
