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How to Fix CSV Import Errors in Score7

When your CSV import fails​

If you uploaded a CSV and Score7 came back with a red error alert, don't worry — every issue is listed with the row number from your spreadsheet, the value or column that's wrong, and a suggested fix. Skim the list, fix the rows in your file, and re-import.

This guide walks through the format of the error messages and the most common fixes.

How to read an error message​

Each line in the error alert follows the same shape:

Row 23: '4/1/2024 6:00 PM' isn't a date Score7 recognises. Try 2024-04-01 18:00 or 01/04/2024 18:00, then re-import.

  • Row N is the row number in your spreadsheet — Row 23 is row 23 in Excel or Google Sheets, including the header row at the top.
  • The offending value appears in single quotes ('4/1/2024 6:00 PM').
  • The column or rule that failed is named directly (here: the date format).
  • The end of the sentence tells you what to change.

If the error doesn't mention a row, it's about the file as a whole — usually the header row.

Common errors and fixes​

"We couldn't find the '<column>' column"​

Your header row is missing a required column. Open your CSV in a spreadsheet, add the missing column to the header row (and fill in the data below), then re-import.

When the header is wrong, Score7 shows only this error — it doesn't try to validate the rest of the file until the columns are correct. Fix the header first, then re-import to see anything else.

"'<value>' isn't a number" on the Group column​

Group codes must be either a single letter (A, B, C…) or a single digit (1, 2, 3…). Words, longer codes (Group A), or symbols won't be accepted. Pick one style and use it consistently across the file.

"'<value>' isn't a date Score7 recognises"​

Use one of these supported date and time formats:

  • YYYY-MM-DD HH:MM — for example 2026-04-23 18:00
  • DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM — for example 23/04/2026 18:00

Excel sometimes saves dates in formats Score7 can't read (like 4/1/2024 6:00 PM). Reformat the column in your spreadsheet — usually right-click → Format cells → pick a date format that matches one of the above — and re-export the CSV.

"'<name>' is not in your registered participants"​

The team or player named in the error doesn't exist in your tournament yet. Two ways to fix it:

  • Add the participant to your tournament first, then re-import.
  • Or correct the spelling in the CSV so it matches an existing participant exactly. Score7 ignores letter case (Red Rockets and red rockets are the same), but extra spaces, punctuation, and accented characters all matter.

"'<name>' is listed in more than one group"​

Each participant belongs to exactly one group. Find the rows that mention this participant, decide which group they should be in, and remove them from the others.

Duplicate values​

If you see "duplicate value" or "duplicate player" in the message, you have two rows that should be unique — for example, two players with the same name on the same team, or two teams with the same name. Pick one, remove or rename the other, and re-import.

Match has missing or identical sides​

A schedule import row needs both a home and an away participant, and they have to be different. If a row is missing one side or has the same name on both sides, fix the row in your CSV.

"Showing the first 20 of N issues"​

If your file has more than 20 problems, Score7 shows the first 20 in the alert and adds a notice below it:

Showing the first 20 of 47 issues. Fix these and re-import to see the rest.

Fix the visible 20 rows, save the file, and re-import. Score7 will validate again and show whatever's left. There's no faster way to see all 47 at once — that limit keeps the alert readable and makes sure screen readers don't have to announce dozens of items at once.

Tip: export first, then edit​

If you're not sure what columns Score7 expects, the easiest way to get a working template is to export first:

  1. Open your tournament's Participants or Teams section.
  2. Click Export CSV.
  3. Edit the downloaded file in your spreadsheet — the columns are already in the right order.
  4. Re-import the edited file.

For empty tournaments, you'll need to fill out the columns by hand the first time. The full guide on importing and exporting is in the Import or Export Participants via CSV article.

Still stuck?​

If you've fixed every row in the error list but the import keeps failing, or the messages don't match anything in this guide, contact us with:

  • The CSV file (or a sample row)
  • A screenshot of the error alert
  • What you were trying to import (participants, teams with players, or a round-robin schedule)

We'll take a look and get back to you.

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