Here you will find some common mistakes to keep in mind when filling out and uploading templates. This guide can be used as a checklist to locate any incorrect inputs before uploading, or in the event that you encounter an error message.
File type and formatting issues
The easiest first step when troubleshooting a file is to check whether it's an issue with the file or the header formatting.
Excel files
Excel files
Things to check:
Column headers - have any headers been changed in any way? Are any missing?
File formatting - if you upload templates to Google Sheets and edit them from there, make sure to import the file using the import wizard (file > import), as not importing correctly can break the file formatting.
CSV files
CSV files
Things to check:
File encoding - When you export your template to csv, make sure you select the file type, 'CSV UTF-8' (when exporting from Excel) or 'Unicode UTF-8' (when exporting from Numbers. Google Sheets csv exports should automatically be in the correct format.
Column headers - Have any headers been changed in any way? Are any missing? Sometimes exporting to csv incorrectly adds a row at the top of the file with Column1, Column2, etc. If this is the case, try exporting again making sure to follow the correct steps.
Unusual characters - Sometimes when CSV files are imported to Excel, letters with an umlaut (i.e. ä, ö, ü) are broken down into two characters (e.g. 'ä' may turn into 'Г¤'). If this happens, the best solution is to use control+f in the original csv to find all letters with umlauts, and replace with them with 'ae', 'oe', or 'ue' as appropriate.
For more guidance on using the CSV file-type, please see our Guide to CSV Files.
Missing columns
If you receive an error stating that there are missing columns, check that you are using the most up-to-date template.
Following the update that allows the usage of a units and currencies, many templates have additional columns that must be present when uploading a data file. You can always just click 'Download Template' for the calculation method of your choice to have the correct template.
Alternatively, you can cross-check the columns of any existing templates you may have already downloaded with the Template Instructions in-platform or in the Step-by-Step Upload articles here on the Help Centre.
Data formatting issues
More likely than not, the issue can be a single wrongly formatted piece of data.
Some common mistakes here include:
Date and number formatting
End date cannot be before start date - Ensure all end dates are chronologically after start dates.
Unexpected number format - Check that there are no typos in your date entries, looking out for things like extra digits or stray punctuation (, . - or /). If in doubt, please use the format YYYY-MM-DD (e.g. 2022-07-17).
Number expected - Numbers should be entered alone (i.e. without units of measurement such as kg, $, or kWh). When entering numbers, ensure that only periods (.) are used for decimal places. Do not separate thousands (e.g. with commas (,), periods(.) or spaces). E.g: one thousand two hundred thirty three point seven should be '1233.7' not '1,233.7' or '1233,7'
Empty or missing elements
Required cell is empty - All required elements must be filled in. Check the relevant template instructions carefully and enter all required values.
Country and currency codes
Country code can't be identified - Two-letter ISO country codes are required to determine the location of business activities. Ensure you are using one of the two-letter ISO country codes in the list here.
Currency does not match location - The currency value must match the location selected (e.g: if your selected location is 'US', the accepted currency must be 'USD').
Invalid currency code - Our template requires three-letter ISO currency codes. Please enter a currency code the list here.
Values mismatch
Dropdown values mismatch - For some templates, dropdown values within the same row must be entered in particular combinations (e.g. sub-category values must relate to category values). Please refer to the specific template instructions for more information.
Invalid subcategory entered - This error usually occurs when qualitative values (which must be entered in an exact way) are typed incorrectly. If you have downloaded the template in CSV format, try downloading it in Excel format as you may be able to select values from a dropdown list, which precludes the possibility of making spelling errors. Otherwise, please see the template instructions and check the list of accepted values to map your categories to. Make sure to copy and paste the exact value into your file to avoid errors.
Calculation method-specific data formatting issues
Scope 1 - Fugitive emissions (Number of cooling equipment units)
Scope 1 - Fugitive emissions (Number of cooling equipment units)
Category and Subcategory don't align - Make sure that the Subcategory corresponds to the Category groups laid out in this guide. For example, the Subcategory, 'Large Chillers', must only be input with the Category, 'Chiller Systems'.
Scope 3, Category 1 - Purchased goods and services (Spend-based)
Scope 3, Category 1 - Purchased goods and services (Spend-based)
Misspelling of Plan A Category - If 'Plan A Categories' are misspelt, the platform won't be able to interpret them. Make sure to copy and paste the inputs from this list.
Note on currency: Whilst forgetting this won't stop your file uploading, you should also make sure your spend value is entered in euros (€).
Scope 3, Category 2 - Capital goods (Spend-based)
Scope 3, Category 2 - Capital goods (Spend-based)
Misspelling of Plan A Category - If 'Plan A Categories' are misspelt, the platform won't be able to interpret them. Make sure to copy and paste the inputs from this list.
Note on currency: Whilst forgetting this won't stop your file uploading, you should also make sure your spend value is entered in euros (€).
Other causes of errors
Invalid facility name - Facility names must match those in your organisational data. Any misspelt names (including missing capital letters) will create a new facility.
Misspellings - All inputs that include typing in words requires you to be careful not to misspell. Make sure to check for correct spelling, or use Excel versions of templates where possible as most of these have dropdown boxes.
How to mass-edit mistakes
Sometimes similar or the same data errors will be apparent in many rows. In this case, 'formatting' your spreadsheet software can quickly resolve multiple rows of errors at once.
Formatting dates
All date columns can be highlighted and formatted at once to ensure consistency. Please see the native instructions on formatting dates in:
Formatting numbers as 'text'
Spreadsheet softwares use default formatting based on your location settings. For instance, numbers may automatically be formatted in a way that is not accepted by the Plan A Sustainability Platform. In this case, it may be worth setting columns' formats to 'text' as this will remove problematic location-specific automatic formatting.
Control, find and replace
It may be the case that you have multiple of the same exact error relating to the same value in different rows. For instance, you may be entering data for Scope 3, Category 1 - Purchased Goods and Services (Spend-based) and have multiple rows where the same category is entered with the same misspelling in each row.
In this case, you can use the 'control, find and replace' function to quickly edit all instances at the same time. Please see the native instructions on using control, find and replace in: