My guest import didn’t work

Find the symptom that matches yours below. Each one says what’s going on and how to fix it. Nothing is added to your list until you click the import button, so it’s always safe to cancel and try again.

I can’t choose my Excel or Numbers file

Why: Upload CSV only accepts CSV files, not .xlsx or .numbers.

Fix: save a CSV copy first. In Excel use File → Save As → CSV UTF-8. In Google Sheets use File → Download → Comma-separated values. In Numbers use File → Export To → CSV. Or copy just the name column and use Paste a list.

Every row says “Missing first name” or “No name”

Why: we couldn’t tell which column holds the names. The first row of your file is always read as the column headings. If it’s a guest instead of a heading, or the heading is unusual, nothing gets matched.

Fix: look at the matching boxes above the preview. Pick your names column under Full name, or under First name and Last name. If your file has no heading row, add one (for example Name, Email, RSVP) and upload it again, otherwise your first guest is treated as a heading.

Pasting from a spreadsheet made a guest out of every cell

Why: Paste a list is for names only. It treats commas and tabs as “next person”, so a pasted row with a name, email and meal becomes three “guests”.

Fix: untick the extra rows, or start again. Paste only the name column, or save the sheet as CSV and use Upload CSV, which keeps each row as one guest.

Accents or symbols look garbled (é shows as é or �)

Why: the file was saved in an older text format. This is common with Excel on Windows.

Fix: save again as CSV UTF-8 and re-upload. Google Sheets downloads are already in the right format.

Some guests were skipped or unticked

• “In list”: a guest with the same name is already on your guest list, so we skip them to avoid doubles. If it really is a different person with the same name, add them with Add guest and include a detail that tells them apart.
• “Duplicate”: the same name appears twice in your file. In a CSV upload, the second copy starts unticked. Tick it if they really are two people.
• No name: rows without a name can’t be imported. Usually these are blank or note rows, so you can ignore them.

A row shows a warning but still imports

• “Invalid email”: the guest imports, but check their email afterwards.
• Unrecognized RSVP: we didn’t understand the RSVP word, so the guest comes in as Invited. We recognise words like yes, accepted, will attend, maybe, tentative, no, regrets, declined, pending and no response.

Auto-seat didn’t seat anyone after importing

The Auto-seat guests button after an import seats the guests you just imported, whatever their RSVP (only Declined guests are left out). If it seats nobody, the message says why:

• “Add a few tables first”: there are no tables to fill yet (reserved tables don’t count). Add tables on the Floor plan screen, then click Auto-Seat.
• “Your tables are full”: add a table or more seats, then run Auto-Seat again.
• “They’re all marked Declined”: declined guests never take a seat.

Running Auto-Seat later from the Floor plan screen seats Attending and Maybe guests. If none are waiting but some guests haven’t replied yet (Invited or Awaiting), it offers to include them in one click. To set RSVPs in bulk, see edit many guests at once.

Things the import doesn’t bring in

• Table numbers or seating. A Table column is ignored, and no tables are created. Seat guests on the Floor plan screen after importing.
• Side, age and plus-one columns. Set these on Guests after importing. A separate plus-one column isn’t read, but a name like “Emily Brown + Guest” (or “+1”, “+”, “& Guest”) imports as Emily plus a linked plus-one. Otherwise use Add a +1 on the guest. See plus-ones.

You can map these columns: First name, Last name, Full name, Email, Phone, Group, Household, RSVP, Meal and Dietary.

Coming from The Knot, Zola or Joy?

Export a CSV there first. There’s no direct connection to those sites. Step-by-step instructions are in import from The Knot, Zola or Joy.