Import & Export Troubleshooting
CSV Import Fails Immediately
- Ensure the file is saved in UTF-8 CSV format. Files exported from Excel in other encodings may contain invisible characters that cause parsing errors.
- Check that the first row contains column headers matching the Praxi template. Download a fresh template from Settings > Data Migrations to compare.
- Remove any blank rows at the end of the file. Trailing empty rows are a common cause of validation errors.
- The maximum file size for CSV imports is 10 MB. For larger datasets, split the file into smaller batches.
Column Mapping Errors
During import, Praxi maps CSV columns to internal fields. If columns are not recognised:
- Use the exact header names from the Praxi template (case-sensitive).
- Do not rename or reorder columns after downloading the template.
- If your source system uses different column names, use the manual mapping step in the import wizard to match them.
Date and Phone Format Issues
| Field | Expected Format | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | DD/MM/YYYY | US format MM/DD/YYYY or ISO YYYY-MM-DD. |
| Phone numbers | 04XX XXX XXX or +614XXXXXXXX | Missing country code or leading zero. |
| Medicare expiry | MM/YYYY | Including a day value. |
Praxi uses Australian date formats by default. If your CSV was exported from a US-formatted system, convert dates before importing.
Duplicate Record Handling
Praxi checks for duplicates based on name, date of birth, and email address during import.
- Skip: Duplicate rows are ignored and reported in the import summary.
- Update: Existing records are updated with the new data. This is useful for bulk updates.
- Choose your preferred duplicate strategy in the import wizard before proceeding.
Bulk Import Partially Fails
If some rows succeed and others fail:
- Download the error report from the import results screen. Each failed row includes a reason.
- Fix the flagged rows in your CSV and re-import only the corrected rows.
- Common row-level errors include missing required fields (e.g. surname, date of birth), invalid email addresses, and unrecognised funding source codes.
Export Issues
- Exports are generated as CSV files and downloaded via your browser. If the download does not start, check your browser's pop-up blocker settings.
- Large exports (over 5,000 records) are processed in the background. You will receive a notification when the file is ready to download.
- Exported data respects your current role permissions. Fields you do not have access to will be excluded.
Data Migration from Another System
When migrating from another practice management system:
- Export data from your current system in CSV format.
- Map columns to the Praxi template.
- Import clients first, then appointments, then invoices to maintain referential integrity.
- Verify record counts after each import step.
Contact Support
For migration assistance or persistent import errors, contact support at hey@praxi.au and attach the error report. Don't attach your data files — migration CSVs contain client details, which should never be sent by email; if support needs to see your file, they'll arrange a secure way to share it.