CSV file list import into Marketo - Import Fail due to unclosed quotation - How do I fix?

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Can you please assist with a basic list import i'm trying to run.  For some reason I keep getting the error below ''Import Failed - Due to unclosed quotation.'' 

Thanks,

Marianne

[Diana_Jakubaity]

The solution:

I was having exactly the same issue over and over again.

To remove the error and be able to upload the file, make sure that you don't have any ,commas, "quotation marks" or even /slashes/ within your cells in excel (any separator marks). If you do, just CTR+F and Replace all with no value.

I also remove all hidden formatting just in case. But removing separators always works for me now!

[fcaous]

I just want to say thank-you!

[SanfordWhiteman]

But that's not an acceptable workaround, as those are totally valid values (for example, "Company Name, Inc." is the correct way to store that value).  Quotation marks are often used to indicate inches, as well as for nicknames.

All of these delimiters are supported if properly escaped; there's even an official internet standard for CSVs!  Using a dedicated CSV editor like Ron's Editor (one of my favorite apps) insread of Excel avoids all such issues.

[everbridge]

I was getting this same error message. My header row (Row 1) was in wrap text and every time I "unwrapped it" then saved it, it would still be wrapped when I opened it back up. Try deleting the row and then adding in the row again by typing in the headers. Worked for me!

[Jo_Pitts1]

@everbridge ,

what tool were you using to edit your CSV file?  

I hate Excel as it does all kinds of weird things, and makes assumptions you can't readily override.  

If you want a nice tabular editor, Open Office Calc has far better import options (that, for example, don't muck up 'numbers' with leading zeros).

If you want a straight out editor, n++ is hard to beat.

[Diana_Jakubaity]

Thank Sanford for sharing - good to know.

However, I tried Ron's Editor, it is super not user friendly... feels like using Excel 8-10 years ago. Just my personal experience.

[SanfordWhiteman]

tried Ron's Editor, it is super not user friendly... feels like using Excel 8-10 years ago. Just my personal experience.

Doesn't matter, it's infinitely better than Excel in every way with regard to CSVs. It's a best-of-breed product.

[Diana_Jakubaity]

I think it does depending on how often you are facing an issue of files not being uploaded to unclosed quotation. We experience it only once in a while and it wouldn't be a solution for us to switch to something that is so time consuming and non user friendly. However, it is a good alternative if you run into an issue.

[SanfordWhiteman]

Sure, just don't expect full CSV feature support if you don't use software that understands the format. Removing characters that are fully supported by CSVs, and by Marketo, doesn't make sense to me.

[Zeina_Koinis]

Ron's Editor worked like a charm. User-friendly in my opinion, and fixed my import immediately. Appreciate the insight!!!

[Anonymous]

Hi Gregoire & Kenny,

Yes it is a CSV file and I have imported lists into Marketo before without any issues.  I have  removed all the visible '' "  with the 'Ctrl F' function and have removed all line breaks but it still wont import. 

It is extremely bizarre.

[Yoav_Guttman1]

were you able to resolve this? i am having the same issue

[Kenny_Elkington]

Do you have any carriage returns/line breaks in any of your column headers?

[Grégoire_Miche2]

Hi again Marianne,

Are you sure you do not have a comma in a text (quotation enclosed) field?

-Greg

[Kenny_Elkington]

I would bet that one of your column names has a line break in it somewhere.  Try removing this and reimporting.

[Rachel_Egan]

I was having this same problem, but this solved it! Thanks Kenny Elkington​!

[Grégoire_Miche2]

Hi Marianne,

Is you file a CSV? Is it encoded in UTF8? Before generating it, have you removed all commas and " ?

-Greg