[UA] Data Import error message reference [Legacy]

Suggested solutions to specific error messages
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If you receive an error during upload, don't panic! These situations usually occur when Data Import encounters a bit of unexpected data in your upload file. This table lists the error messages you might receive and suggests solutions to fix those issues.

In the messages shown below, parameters such as X, Y and Z are placeholders and will be replaced by actual values at run time.

When the suggested solution is to "edit the file," this can mean both editing the upload file directly or regenerating it in a way that fixes the error.

Message Meaning Solution
API parameter X not found. You have attempted to upload data with the Management API, but a required parameter is missing. Add the missing parameter to your code.
At least one of the following headers should be used: X. The upload file is missing a required header. Review the Data Set details for the type of data you are importing and make sure your upload file matches the required schema.
Column access denied X. You have insufficient permissions for the selected property. Make sure you have the Editor role for the property to which you are uploading data.
Column header X is missing. The upload file is missing the specified column header. Edit the file and add the missing header.
Column header(s) X are not allowed. The column header specified is for data that cannot be imported into Analytics. Review the available dimensions and metrics for the chosen import type.
Column headers missing for the input file. The upload file is missing column headers. Edit the file and add the appropriate headers. See Formatting upload files.
Custom data source for uid X not found. The Data Set ID provided for this import(also known as Custom Data Source ID) can't be found. Make sure the Data Set ID is correct for this upload. For more information, see Create a Data Set
Deleting uploads is not allowed for Refund Import. Refund Data upload files cannot be deleted. See Refund Data.  
Duplicate column header X. The upload file contains a duplicate column header. Each dimension or metric name can only appear once per upload file. Edit the file and remove or change the duplicate header.
Empty column header at column number X. The upload file is missing a column header. Edit the file and add the missing header.
Exceeded max line length (X). One or more fields or rows in the upload file exceed the maximum field or line length limit.

Reduce the amount of data you are uploading.

See the Analytics.js Field Reference for specific field length limits.

File contains X columns. Max column count is Y. The upload file has too many columns. Reduce the number of dimensions or metrics you are uploading.
Header X is not found in the data import schema. The upload file contains a header that is not defined in the Data Set schema. Each column in your upload file must have a header that matches one of the dimensions or metrics defined in the schema. Edit the file and add the missing header. Learn how to get the Data Set schema.
Insufficient permissions. You don't have permission to upload to this property. You need the Editor role at the property level to import data to Analytics.
Invalid CSV format at row X. The upload file has formatting issues. Possible problems can include:
  • missing commas
  • extra commas
  • improper use of quotes
  • missing quotes
Edit the file and examine the indicated row for formatting errors. Note that the row indicated in the error message may not be the row containing the actual error, so you may find the problem in a preceding row.
Invalid account ID format: X. The format of the account ID format is incorrect. Analytics Account IDs must be in the form UA-XXXXXX-X Edit your code and make sure the Account ID is formatted correctly.
Invalid cell data "X" at row Y column Z. Allowed date format is YYYYMMDD (for example: 20131217). The data at the specified location in the upload file contains an invalid date format. Dates must be in YYYYMMDD format. Edit the file and correct the date format.
Invalid cell data "X" at row Y column Z. Expected data type: (type). The data at the specified location in the upload file is of the wrong type. For example, the column may be expected to contain numeric data, but the file contains a string value there. Correct the data in that cell to be of the expected type.
Invalid cell data "X" at row Y column Z. Year must be greater than or equal to 2005. The data at the specified location in the upload file contains an invalid year. You cannot upload data for prior to 2005. Remove any rows containing data older than 2005.
Invalid client data: X The upload file contains data that cannot be processed. Edit the upload file and correct the data.
Invalid column header name(s) X in uploaded data. The upload file contains invalid column header names. Perhaps there's a typo? Column header names must be valid dimension or metric names in the form ga:name. Make sure your column headers match the Data Set schema.
Invalid custom data source ID format: X. Error message for invalid custom data source ID format. Edit your code and make sure the Custom Data Source ID is formatted correctly. Learn more about custom data sources.
Invalid property ID format: X. The format of the property ID format is incorrect. Analytics Property IDs must be in the form UA-XXXXXX-X Edit your code and make sure the Property ID is formatted correctly.
Multiple errors occurred: List of multiple errors  
Property ID X not found (or not accessible). The property ID specified for this upload is incorrect or you don't have permission to upload data to this property. Make sure you have the Editor role for the property to which you are uploading data.
Property ID does not match with account ID. Property ID: X, Account ID: Y. You've attempted to import data to property that doesn't belong to the specified account. Edit your code and make sure the Account ID and Property ID are correct.
Quota exceeded. You have exceeded your Data Import quota. Review the Limits of Data Import.
Row X only includes Y columns out of expected Z. The specified row is missing one or more columns of data. Edit that row of your upload file and add the missing data columns.
Row X, column Y: invalid data. The only Cost Data that can be uploaded with the 'google' source (i.e. 'ga:source' = 'google') is the 'organic' cost data (i.e. 'ga:medium' = 'organic'). You have attempted to upload Cst Data using google in the Source dimension but the Medium dimension is notorganic. Change the ga:medium dimension to organic for all rows where the ga:source dimension is google.
Row X, column Y: missing a required value for header Z. The upload file is missing required data at the specified location. Edit the file and add the missing data.
Row X: Invalid characters in the file. Only UTF-8 encoded characters are supported. The upload file contains invalid characters. Data Import expects files to be encoded in UTF-8. Change the upload file's encoding to UTF-8.
Row X: at least one value should be provided for the following headers: Y. The upload file is missing a required data dimension or metric. Review the Data Set details for the type of data you are importing and make sure your data contains any required values.
Row at X is invalid for refund import. Must contain ga:transactionId. ga:transactionRevenue is optional. If ga:productSku is specified, then ga:quantityRefunded must be specified. ga:productPrice can optionally be specified only with ga:productSku. The upload file contains incorrect data for Refund Data Import. Edit the upload data to conform to the Refund Data schema requirements.
There was a temporary error. Please try again later. A temporary server error has occurred. Wait a few minutes and try your request again.
There was an internal error. A server error has occurred. Although rare, connectivity issues or a misconfiguration on the server can block access to the service. Most likely, this will be resolved quickly. If the error persists you can send us feedback.
Upload request URL should start with https://www.googleapis.com/upload/analytics/... Your upload request is missing the appropriate URL. Add the correct URL to your code. For more information see Uploads: uploadData in the Analytics Developers Guide.
Web property not active for account ID X, property number Y. Your upload request has specified a web property that is not connected to the specified account. Edit your request and be sure both the account ID and property ID are correct.

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