Troubleshoot CSV import errors
When you import a CSV file on the Funds tab, Focus validates every row before applying changes. If any row fails validation, the entire import is rejected.
If your import fails, start with the exact error message shown in Focus. Use the sections below to understand what caused the error and what to change before you upload the file again.
Focus shows only one error per import attempt. After you fix that error, upload the file again to check for additional issues.
Import errors
Time period must be in the correct format: yyyy-MM
Why this happens: A month column header is not in YYYY-MM format. This is often caused by spreadsheet apps auto-formatting date values when you open the CSV file.
How to fix it: Open the CSV in a plain text editor and check that all month column headers use YYYY-MM format, for example 2026-01. If you edited the file in Excel, the headers may have been changed to full dates such as 2026-01-01 or Jan-26.
Cost type must be one of: LABOR, NON_LABOR
Why this happens: The Cost Type value in one or more rows does not match an accepted option.
How to fix it: Use LABOR or NON_LABOR with an underscore.
Cost sub-type not found
Why this happens: The sub-type value in one or more rows does not match any sub-type configured in your Focus admin settings.
How to fix it: Check the sub-type names in Focus admin settings and match them in your CSV. Values are not case-sensitive, but they must match the configured names.
Investment category not found
Why this happens: The investment category value does not match any category configured in your Focus admin settings.
How to fix it: Check the investment category names in Focus admin settings and match them in your CSV. Values are not case-sensitive, but they must match the configured names.
Focus Area ID not found
Why this happens: The Focus Area ID or External ID in one or more rows does not match any focus area on the site.
How to fix it: Use Download current data from the focus area to get the correct IDs.
Row count exceeds maximum allowed
Why this happens: Your CSV has too many rows for a single import.
How to fix it: Split the file into smaller batches, for example one file per focus area or one file per financial version type.
Actual values cannot be entered for future months
Why this happens: A row with Financial Version Type = ACTUAL includes values for a month that has not ended yet.
How to fix it: Actual values can only be entered for past months. For the current month and future months, use FORECAST as the Financial Version Type.
Conflicting IDs
Why this happens: A row includes both an internal ID and an External ID, but they point to different items.
How to fix it: Use only one ID per row, or make sure both reference the same item.Import appears to succeed but data does not appear
Why this happens: The import completes without error, but the data you expected is not visible on the Funds tab.
How to fix it:
Refresh your browser. Changes from CSV imports may not appear until you reload the page.
Check that you saved the file. If you edited the CSV in a spreadsheet app, make sure you saved the file before uploading. Unsaved changes will not be included in the import.
Check the focus area and time period. Make sure you are viewing the correct focus area and that the time period picker covers the months in your CSV.
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