> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lighton.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Why can’t I upload my CSV file?

> If a CSV file doesn’t upload in Paradigm, the issue is often related to the separator used or the file’s structure. Here’s how to check and fix it.

## Symptoms

* Your file **opens correctly** on your computer (Excel, Google Sheets, etc.).
* But when you try to upload it into Paradigm, the **import fails**.
* You may have tried different parsers, but none of them worked.

## Common causes

### 1. Wrong separator

By convention, a CSV (Comma-Separated Values) file uses the \*\*comma \*\*`,` as the column separator.\
Some software (often with French/European settings) exports CSVs with a \*\*semicolon \*\*`;` instead.

👉 If your file uses `;` as a separator, it won’t be recognized properly by Paradigm.

### 2. Incorrect file structure

* **Column headers** must match what Paradigm expects.
* If required columns are missing or incorrectly named, the upload will fail.

### 3. Not a strict CSV format

Some partner files may use the `.csv` extension but are not fully compliant with the standard format. These files can still open locally but fail during upload.

## How to check

1. **Open the file in a text editor** (e.g., Notepad, VS Code, Sublime Text).
2. Check the separator:
   * If you see `,` → correct format.
   * If you see `;` → this is likely the issue.
3. Check the first line (headers): make sure it contains all required columns.

## Solutions

* **Convert the separator**:
  * Open the file in Excel or Google Sheets.
  * Export it again as CSV, making sure the separator is \*\*comma \*\*`,`.
* **Check the headers**:
  * Ensure all required columns are present and correctly named.
  * Compare with an example CSV that worked successfully before.
* **Try another format**:
  * If the issue persists, export the file as **XLS/XLSX**. This format is supported and usually works.

## Good to know

* CSV formats can vary depending on the **language/region** settings of the software used.
* This issue is common with CSVs received from external partners.
* As a quick workaround, converting to `.xls` or `.xlsx` often solves the problem.

## If the problem persists

👉 If, after checking the separator and headers, the upload still fails, please [contact **Support**](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/1tfDJdWCoTQaC2PbMbonm8w2diqhu) and include:

* the original CSV file,
* a screenshot of the error message.

This will help us investigate further.

⚠️ **Important**: Paradigm cannot import CSVs with `;` separators or missing required headers. The file must be corrected before upload