If you received a File Format Inspection error, this means our system discovered a basic issue with the file you attempted to upload or its formatting.
If your File Format Inspection fails:
- Make sure you are using an Excel file format (.xls OR .xlsx)
- Make sure you selected the correct data template and worksheet.
- Check that your column headings match those in your data template exactly. Even a small misspelling will result in a File Format failure (this is case-sensitive, so even an incorrect capitalization will cause an error).
- Make sure ALL column headings (A through W) are in your file, even if one or more are not applicable to your company.
- Make sure there are no blank rows at the top of your worksheet. The top row (Row 1) must contain your column headers.
- Correct any errors and re-upload the file.
To view the specific issue detected, click the eye 
icon to see your Inspection Overview. This will tell you if a specific column is missing or invalid:
In the example above, there is an issue with the Job Status column, so you would need to make sure that column is present and the name is spelled correctly.
If you’re unsure how to correct your file:
- Download the latest version of the Standard Templates, available in the Data Management module under the “Manage Templates” tab. Click either the “Get the Standard Employee Template” or “Get the Standard Dependent Template” button, depending on which type of source file you are loading.
- Make sure your columns are in the exact order as the standard template, and that there are no extra columns. Then copy and paste the column headers from the Standard Template into your data file. This will ensure your headings match the expected headings.
- Attempt your data load again. On the Upload screen, under “Select Template” be sure to pick the appropriate standard template (Employee Template OR Dependent Template).