Fixing issues with file uploads
Uploading files in Oracle Eloqua can sometimes cause issues if the file format or data isn’t quite right. Here’s a checklist to help you solve common upload problems, whether you're uploading contacts, accounts, picklists, external activities, or other data.
Make Sure Your File Format Is Correct
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Use the right file type: Only .txt, .csv, .xls, and .xlsx files work for uploads in Eloqua.
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Confirm delimiters: Use commas, pipe (|), tab, or semi-colon (;) as delimiters to separate fields in your file, depending on the format you’ve chosen.
Check Your Column Headers
- Make sure column headers are too long: The column name in the header must be no more than 100 characters long.
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Make sure the first row is the header: The first row of the file must be column headings. Oracle Eloqua will attempt to map the headings to existing fields.
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Match the headers: As a best practice, try to make sure the column names in your file match the field names in Oracle Eloqua. For instance, “Email Address” in your file should match Eloqua's “Email Address” field.
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Avoid duplicates: Each column should have a unique name to avoid mapping conflicts.
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Make sure required columns are present: When uploading there can be some required columns that you'll want to make sure are present.
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Picklists: Option value and option name columns. Learn more.
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External activities: External Asset Type, External Activity, External Asset Name, Contact Email Address, Campaign ID (always include if known), and Date. Learn more.
- Contact SMS Opt In/Out: Phone Number and Preference. Learn more.
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Review Data for Errors
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Remove empty rows: Empty fields are supported.
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Ensure accurate data: For instance, date fields should be in the required format (often YYYY-MM-DD).
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Enclose text with commas in quotes: If a field contains a comma, wrap the entire field in double quotes (e.g., "Aimmune Therapeurtics, Inc."). This helps us recognize it as one field rather than two.
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Escape double quotes within text: If your data includes double quotes, place an additional double quote before it to "escape" it (e.g., "John said, ""Hello!""").
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Consistent use of quotes: For best results, make sure that fields with special characters (like commas or line breaks) are consistently enclosed in double quotes.
Confirm Upload Mapping
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Match fields correctly: When mapping, double-check each field is mapped to the correct Oracle Eloqua field, like making sure “Phone Number” in your file matches Eloqua’s “Phone Number” field.
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Check for required fields: Some fields are mandatory in Eloqua, and missing them could cause errors. Be sure to map all required fields during the upload.
Handle File Size and Row Limits
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Stay within size limits: Files over Eloqua’s size limit (usually up to a few MBs) might not upload correctly. Split large files into smaller ones if needed.
Resolve Duplicates
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Avoid duplicate data: Run a quick check for duplicates in your file and remove them. Duplicate data can cause rows to be merged, leading to the possibility of data inconsistency.