Common Import Errors & Quick Fixes
Most bank statement import errors fall into 8 categories. Use this guide to diagnose and fix your specific issue quickly.
Date Format Error: Invalid Date
HighCause: Software expects MM/DD/YYYY but CSV has DD/MM/YYYY or vice versa
Solution: Use Find & Replace in Excel or convert CSV with correct date format. US software: MM/DD/YYYY, UK/AU: DD/MM/YYYY
CSV Delimiter Mismatch
HighCause: File uses semicolon (;) instead of comma (,) as delimiter
Solution: Open in text editor, replace all semicolons with commas. Or import with custom delimiter setting
Missing Header Row
MediumCause: CSV lacks column headers (Date, Description, Amount)
Solution: Add header row manually or regenerate CSV with headers included
Incorrect Amount Signs
HighCause: Deposits shown as negative, withdrawals as positive
Solution: Multiply Amount column by -1 in Excel or regenerate CSV with correct signs
Encoding Error: Special Characters
MediumCause: File not in UTF-8 format, special characters (£, €, ñ) display as �
Solution: Save CSV as UTF-8 in Excel: Save As → CSV UTF-8
Duplicate Transactions
MediumCause: Same transactions imported twice
Solution: Check date range, remove duplicates in software before finalizing import
"Too Many Columns" Error
MediumCause: Transaction descriptions contain commas, breaking CSV structure
Solution: Ensure descriptions are quoted: "Coffee, Main Street Cafe"
File Size Too Large
LowCause: CSV exceeds import limit (often 10,000-50,000 rows)
Solution: Split into multiple files by month or quarter
Date Format Problems (Most Common)
Date format mismatches cause 40% of all import errors. US software expects MM/DD/YYYY while UK/Australian software expects DD/MM/YYYY.
How to Fix Date Formats:
From
DD/MM/YYYY (e.g., 25/12/2024)
To
MM/DD/YYYY (e.g., 12/25/2024)
For
QuickBooks US, most US software
Method: Excel: Format Cells → Date → MM/DD/YYYY. Or use formula: =DATE(RIGHT(A2,4), LEFT(A2,2), MID(A2,4,2))
From
MM/DD/YYYY
To
DD/MM/YYYY
For
Xero UK/AU, MYOB, UK software
Method: Excel: Format Cells → Date → DD/MM/YYYY. Or use formula: =DATE(RIGHT(A2,4), MID(A2,4,2), LEFT(A2,2))
From
YYYY-MM-DD
To
MM/DD/YYYY or DD/MM/YYYY
For
Most software accepts ISO format
Method: Excel will auto-convert or use formula: =TEXT(A2,"MM/DD/YYYY")
💡 Pro Tip: Avoid Date Issues Entirely
Use EasyBankConvert which automatically detects and converts dates to your software's required format. No manual fixes needed.
CSV Delimiter Problems
CSV files should use commas (,) as delimiters, but some European systems use semicolons (;). This breaks imports.
Fix Method:
- 1.Open CSV in text editor (Notepad, TextEdit, VS Code)
- 2.Find & Replace All: Replace semicolons (;) with commas (,)
- 3.Save file and retry import
Character Encoding Issues
Special characters (£, €, ñ, ü) display as � or boxes when file encoding is wrong. Fix by saving as UTF-8.
Excel: Save as UTF-8
- Open CSV in Excel
- Go to File → Save As
- Choose format: CSV UTF-8 (Comma delimited) (.csv)
- Click Save
Software-Specific Error Solutions
QuickBooks Import Errors
- Error "Invalid Date": Change to MM/DD/YYYY format
- Error "Account Not Found": Create bank account in QB first
- Error "Duplicate Transactions": Check date range before import
Xero Import Errors
- Error "Date Format": Use DD/MM/YYYY for UK/AU
- Error "Missing Header": Ensure Date, Amount, Payee headers exist
- Error "Amount Format": Remove currency symbols (£, $)
Excel Import Errors
- "File Corrupted": Open in Notepad, check for special characters
- Dates Show as Numbers: Format column as Date
- Leading Zeros Removed: Format as Text before import
MYOB Import Errors
- Date Format: Must be DD/MM/YYYY (Australian)
- "Invalid File": Check for Debit/Credit columns
- Balance Errors: Verify opening balance matches
Preventing Import Errors
Best Practices:
Before Import
- • Use a converter designed for bank statements
- • Test with one statement first
- • Verify date format matches your software
- • Check for header row
- • Remove duplicate transactions
During Import
- • Map fields correctly (Date → Date, etc.)
- • Set correct date format in import wizard
- • Verify amount signs (positive/negative)
- • Check opening/closing balances match
- • Review before finalizing
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