Admin Problem Solving, Troubleshooting & Cell Matching
It can happen that the upload of a data sheet does not successfully upload during the first try. Hence, in the following guide we have listed the most common troubleshooting problems that could potentially prevent a successful data upload.
#1: Not matching cells
Even the smallest spelling mistake will cause difficulties when trying to upload the data sheet, if the way you write the carriers or city names do not match. If in the Hub Sheet Australia was spelled correctly, in this pricing sheet it would not be able to find the correct hub. Hence, make sure that every word entered in the spreadsheet matches. When entering data for hubs, countries, carriers, or service level, the data that is entered needs to exactly match all words that are respectively entered in other data spreadsheets, e.g., match all information put in the local charges sheet, the pricing sheet, as well as the hubs sheet.
#2: Formatting Reasons
A second troubleshooting mistake that can happen accidentally is the application of false formats within the spreadsheets. This can commonly happen in the effective and expiration date section. Usual formats used for dates are YYYY-MM-DD or DD-MM-YYYY. Formats such as Mar 13, 2020, will not be accepted and acknowledged as incorrectly during the data upload process. You must ensure that your cell contents match what is required. Please see our Excel template guides for these restrictions. A further example could be the ‘Load type’: make sure to specify your load type correctly, such as ‘lcl’ or ‘fcl_20’, ‘fcl_40’, ‘fcl_40_hq’.
#3: Incorrect files
Please make sure the sheet you are uploading does not have any additional text or numbers, whether in different sheets, or in bottom rows. In addition, there cannot be any blank rows. By cleaning the data and making sure ONLY the template will be uploaded, you reduce your chance of a failed upload.
#4: Empty Fields
While some cells do not necessarily need to contain any data (e.g., Customer E-Mail), leaving out information for departure locations or destinations for instance will likely result in a failed upload as the system will not be able to relate the data to any existing itineraries. Please confirm with our Excel templates on whether or not a column is optional or mandatory, as well as the column headers.
#5: Spaces in Empty Fields
Then in turn, some fields can stay empty (e.g., Customer E-Mail). Nevertheless, make sure that these fields are actually empty and do not contain any spaces as it would be difficult for the system if the cell is supposed to be either filled with information or left blank.
#6: Expired Data Validation
Always make sure that the validation periods of the respective rates and local charges are valid. Expired dates could cause some difficulties during the uploading process. In addition, the system will not upload rates that have expiry dates before effective dates.
#7: Local Charges
Enabling Local Charges (import and export) for a hub
Be precise and clear about whether to enable import and/or export local charges for each particular hub.Are export and/or import local charges for the respective hub also uploaded in the system?
If import and/or export local charges are enabled for a certain hub, then make sure that the local charges spreadsheet also includes data for import as well as export local charges relating to the specific hub.
#8: Hubs
Include and upload all relevant hubs in the shop. If a pricing sheet or a local charges sheet contains information regarding a hub that is not listed on the hubs sheet, the system will not be able to connect the added information to a hub, and hence, the upload is likely to fail.
#9: Comma instead of a Dot
When generating and working in spreadsheets, make a consistent use of commas or dots. Upload errors might be caused if dots and commas are not consistently used within a data sheet.
#10: Excel Filter Function
You try to upload a data sheet in which you have been using the filtering function, but previous to the upload you did not deactivate the filtering function/did not set back all filters. Kindly make sure that all data is set back and the filter function is disabled as the upload of the spreadsheet will otherwise not be successful.
Cell Matching
You might find yourself asking the question, "The shop says I successfully uploaded my rates, but I cannot make a quote or booking!" A common problem is that the parameters you set in the templates need to match. The diagram below describes the connectivity between sheets, with optional cells in light gray and mandatory sheets in dark gray.
