Keep the failed row and the original file
Save the error message alongside the row that produced it. Copy that row into a small test file with the same headers, keeping the original export intact. Use a test database that matches the target configuration; required fields and available choices depend on the model and installed modules.
A required field is missing
Check both the column mapping and the cell. A name column can be mapped correctly while a particular row is empty. If the source has no value, ask the data owner what belongs there before applying a default across the file. Review the selected record type too: a field on one model may not be the field you need on another.
A date or number will not import
Look for inconsistent formats within the column. A date such as 03/04/2026 needs an agreed day/month convention; a comma may be a decimal separator or a thousands separator. In Odoo’s native importer, check the formatting options against the source file. Test the interpreted values before changing every row.
A related record cannot be found
A product category or a contact’s company must resolve to the intended record. Check that the related record exists and that the reference is unambiguous. Names can repeat. For migration files, consistent external IDs make the relationship explicit; import the referenced records first.
A second import creates duplicates
Compare the identifiers used in both attempts. In Odoo’s native importer, a stable External ID can identify the record to update on a later import. A product code mapped to Internal Reference is not a substitute for an External ID. Confirm the matching rules of whichever import workflow you use, and reconcile any rows already created before retrying.
Check the result before scaling up
Once the small test passes, inspect the resulting records and their relationships. Keep the correction with your source file so the next export does not bring the same problem back. Our Odoo migration checklist covers the wider preparation and reconciliation steps.
OdooMap brings mapping decisions and preparation checks into a shared review. See the data preparation workflow, or try it with a sample file.
For native import options and examples, see Odoo’s import and export documentation for your version.