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Error: The file you have chosen to upload does not contain the same number of columns in every line (failed on line: X)

  • Updated

This message means one line of your CSV file has a different number of columns than the file's first line. Import Data counts the commas on every line, so a comma inside a value (even in quotes), a line break inside a cell, or a row with extra or missing cells stops the upload. Fix the line the message names, save the file as CSV again and upload it.

Applies to: Admins whose role includes Import Data · All plans · Every import on the Import Data page

Where: Administration > Import Data > Start Import > (the import) > Step 1 of 3: Upload File > Next Step

What the line number means

  • The first line of the file, usually your header row, sets the number of columns. Every other line must have the same number of commas.
  • "failed on line: 12" means line 12 of the file, counting the header row as line 1, so it's row 12 in your spreadsheet.
  • The check stops at the first line that doesn't match, so later lines may need the same fix.
  • If it fails on line 2, compare the header row with the first data row: the header itself may have an extra or a missing column.

Causes and how to fix them

Cause Fix
A comma inside a value, such as Smith, Jr., an address, or a division named U10, Girls. Quotes don't help: every comma counts. Replace the commas with a space or another character (see the next section).
A number or date displayed with a comma, such as 1,250.00 or October 9, 2026. Spreadsheets save what the cell shows. Change those cells' format, for example to a number without a thousands separator or a date like 10/9/2026, then save again.
A line break inside a cell. Text pasted into Excel or Google Sheets from an email, a PDF or a web page can bring hidden line breaks with it; the cell may show only the first line. Replace the line breaks with a space (see the next section).
A row with more or fewer columns than the first line, for example rows pasted from another file with a different layout, or commas added at the end of some lines. Make the row match the header: delete the extra columns or add the missing ones.
A blank line, including one at the end of the file. It has no commas at all. Delete the blank line. A text editor such as Notepad shows it.

Replace commas and line breaks in Excel

  1. Select the columns to fix, or the whole sheet.
  2. Press Ctrl+F and click the Replace tab (or press Ctrl+H).
  3. Type a comma in Find what and a space in Replace with, and click Replace All.
  4. For line breaks, click in Find what, delete what's there, and press Ctrl+J. The box looks empty but holds a line break. Type a space in Replace with and click Replace All.
  5. Save with File > Save As, choosing CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv).

Excel's Find and Replace box, with a comma in Find what and a space in Replace with:

More help from Microsoft: Find or replace text and numbers on a worksheet.

Replace commas and line breaks in Google Sheets

  1. Click Edit > Find and replace.
  2. Type a comma in Find and a space in Replace with, and click Replace all.
  3. For line breaks, check Search using regular expressions, type \n in Find and a space in Replace with, and click Replace all.
  4. Download the file with File > Download > Comma-separated values (.csv).

What you'll see: when the upload passes, the next step of the import opens, Step 2 of 3: Map the Fields for most imports.

If it doesn't work

  • The same line still fails. Look for a line break or an extra cell on that row. Opening the file in a text editor shows each line exactly as Import Data reads it, commas and all.
  • Another line fails now. The check stops at the first bad line. Fix the next one the same way.
  • The upload passes, but Map the Fields lists more columns than your file has. Something sits to the right of your data, even a single space, so the spreadsheet saved an extra column on every line. Delete those columns and save the file again.
  • A different message appears. See Import error messages and how to fix them.

Good to know

  • The upload check, Map the Fields and the import itself all read each comma as the start of a new column, quoted or not. If every line has the same quoted comma and Includes Headers is unchecked, the file can pass this check, but its values then load one column to the right. Remove the commas instead.
  • An import can't match a name in TeamSideline that contains a comma, such as a division named U10, Girls. Rename it without the comma before you import.
  • In a Player or Parent Custom Field Import, a drop-down value must match one of the field's choices exactly, capitals included, so a choice that contains a comma can't be imported once the comma is removed. Fill in those values by hand, and check a few records after any custom field import: not every value that didn't fit is listed on the Status page.

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