I'm getting an error when uploading my employee list or org chart

If you are seeing an error when uploading your employee list or organisational chart, the cause is nearly always a formatting issue in the file rather than a platform problem. The steps below cover the most common causes.

General checks for any upload error

1. Always use the latest template from the platform. Do not reuse older versions, column headers may have changed. Download a fresh copy each time.
2. Do not modify column headers. The system checks column headers exactly. Even adding a space or changing capitalisation will cause the upload to fail.
3. Read the error message carefully. The platform usually identifies the specific row and column causing the issue. Start there before checking anything else.
4. Try uploading a small test batch first. If you have a large file, try uploading 5–10 rows first to confirm the format is correct before uploading the full dataset.

Common errors for employee list uploads

• 'Unit Code not found' error — the unit assigned to an employee in your file does not match any unit in the Organisational Chart. Check for differences in spelling, capitalisation, or spacing between the two files.
• Duplicate email address error — each employee must have a unique email address. Check for duplicate rows or employees listed with slightly different email formats.
• Date format error — date fields such as Start Date must follow the format DD/MM/YYYY exactly. Excel may auto-reformat dates — check the cell format after entering data.
• Missing mandatory fields — Full Name and Email Address (or Unique Employee ID) are required for every row. Check for any blank cells in these columns.

Common errors for org chart uploads

• Unit structure error — all Level columns must be filled in correctly and parent unit names must match child unit references exactly. There should be no blank rows in the middle of your data.
• Units missing after upload — they may have been in rows with validation errors and were skipped. Check the error report and re-upload the corrected rows only.

💡 Pro tip: If a row keeps failing even after you fix the error, try copying the data into a brand new template file. Hidden characters or cell formatting from the original file can persist even after editing.

Something not working?

• I used Replace Entire List by mistake and lost data — contact support immediately. Do not make any further changes. Data recovery may be possible depending on timing.

Still Need Help?

If you are still getting upload errors after following these steps, Reach out to us at support@engagerocket.co and we'll be happy to assist!