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Import Error: Data is not in the required format. RRS feed

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    I am having an issue importing data in CRM 2011.

    The error I am getting is: The data is not in the required format.

    The imports were working great, but the last import is just not working.

    Here are the steps I have been using.

    Go to Settings >Data Management >Download a template for Data Import.

    Save the template to a folder on my hard drive.

    Open excel and navigate to the saved template >Open the template >Click to enable content.

    Copy data from existing spreadsheet into XML Template and paste Values.

    Save and close XML file.

    Go to Import Data in CRM, browse to the XML file saved previously, click Open and Next.

    The Upload Data File screen appears for a few minutes, the I get the error. There is no log file created. The header on the error box is: https://companyname.crm.dynamics.com/_common/error/dlg_error.aspx?hresult=0x80040351

    I tried downloading the template again, same error.

    I have tried copying and pasting the data into a new Excel spreadsheet, formattting the columns then copy/paste into the XML document. I get the same error.

    I tried importing the data as a CSV file, but still get the same error.

    The file is less than 2 MB and I have scanned the data to see if there is anything unusual, but can't see anything out of place.

    I also deleted out my temporary internet files and restarted my computer.

    I am at my witts end and do not know what to do, can anyone shed some light on this problem?

    Grlynn


    • Edited by Grlynn Tuesday, December 10, 2013 7:36 PM Added additional troubleshooting steps that were taken.
    Tuesday, December 10, 2013 7:35 PM

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    In case anyone out there stumbles across this post, the issue was a non-printable character in the data.

    I opened a case with Microsoft and the tech asked me to remove any special characters, <>:;.

    Some of the data needed special characters such as a website with http:// and I know I had imported at least some of those characters previously. But the comment got me thinking about any non-allowable characters and I figured non-printable characters was probably the culprit.

    After removing the non-printable character, the data imported fine.

    Grlynn

    Tuesday, December 10, 2013 9:59 PM

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    In case anyone out there stumbles across this post, the issue was a non-printable character in the data.

    I opened a case with Microsoft and the tech asked me to remove any special characters, <>:;.

    Some of the data needed special characters such as a website with http:// and I know I had imported at least some of those characters previously. But the comment got me thinking about any non-allowable characters and I figured non-printable characters was probably the culprit.

    After removing the non-printable character, the data imported fine.

    Grlynn

    Tuesday, December 10, 2013 9:59 PM
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    Hi Grylnn, this is often the problem with copying and pasting data from other data sources, especially other Excel spreadsheets. Excel usually hides non-printable and special characters that cvan give the CRM Import Wizard bellyache. To troubleshoot this, try copying a pasting just a few rows. If that works then your data format is good but there is probably a hidden character somewhere in the rest of the data set. If it doesn't work, then try opening the file in another program such as Notepad or Notepadd++. I use Notepad++ because it makes it easier to find and fix special characters that Excel has hidden from me.

    Thanks for sharing your resolution with the community.

    Neil Benson, CRM Addict and MVP at Slalom Consulting. Find me on Twitter. Join over 20,000 other CRM professionals on the Microsoft Dynamics CRM group on LinkedIn.

    Tuesday, December 10, 2013 10:50 PM
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    Neil,

    Thank you for the additional tips.

    Grlynn

    Wednesday, December 11, 2013 12:00 AM