topic Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message in ArcGIS Online Questions

CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

EvelynChan — Fri, 28 Jun 2019 19:01:37 GMT

Hi all,

I have been running into the same issue with Arc Online where I try to import from file and upload my CSV but it shows the error message "An error occurred while creating features. (Duplicate field names are not allowed. ())" This has been occurring even when:

1. I make sure my headings don't have spaces (instead, they would be filled with "_").

2. And I have ensured that there are no duplicate field names.

Is there alternate way to upload my CSV so I can have my point data on my map?

Thank you in advance.

Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

KellyGerrow — Mon, 01 Jul 2019 21:14:39 GMT

Try opening the csv in notepad. In the initial line (the header), are there a bunch of commas at end like this? ,,,,,,

Sometimes this happens when saving. This is then interpreted as duplicate fields.

Could you share your csv?

-Kelly

Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

EvelynChan — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 14:32:05 GMT

Thank you for your insight Kelly! I think that may be one of the issues with my data set. Mind letting me know how you approach this so that the issue won't occur?

-Ev

Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

KellyGerrow — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 16:45:19 GMT

If you are working with your data in excel before converting the file to a csv, make sure you delete any extra fields you may have typed in. If you find this happens frequently, try opening the csv before publishing so you can start to understand what is causing the blank fields to be created in the CSV while using excel.

-Kelly

Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

JanelleLeza — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 18:40:32 GMT

I am experiencing the same issue and followed the advice re: viewing in notepad. Sure enough the commas are there. As I downloaded the file from an online source, I did not conduct the conversion to CSV. I cannot figure out how to remove the blank fields that are causing this error. Do you have any advice on how to understand/discover what is causing these blank fields?

Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

EvelynChan — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 19:23:15 GMT

I am also having the same issue too! Another thread also recommended removing all spaces from your header and replacing it with "_". This has not fixed my issue unfortunately. But I will keep trying! Do feel free to update your progress too!

Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

EvelynChan — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 19:28:01 GMT

Thanks Kelly! Unfortunately, even after opening and fixing in CSV, removing spaces, and putting only 2 columns of info down - the same message is present.

Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

KellyGerrow — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 19:29:34 GMT

How was the CSV created? Are you able to share it?

Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

EvelynChan — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 20:12:16 GMT

Sorry, I can't share it due to it's sensitive details. I had "Saved As" - CSV.

Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

JanelleLeza — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 21:10:04 GMT

Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure how the CSV was created. The data I am working with is publicly accessible. Please find the open data, attached.

Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

KellyGerrow — Fri, 05 Jul 2019 18:18:41 GMT

Hi Janelle,

This csv looks to have a lot of blank fields. I'd suggest removing them or talking to the data provider about cleaning up this dataset. Unfortunately as you don't maintain the data, you can just react to the problems the dataset provides by removing the extra fields.

Re: CSV - ERROR "duplicate field" message

JeremyHolcombe — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 15:39:46 GMT

This solution worked perfectly for me. Something I'll keep an eye out for in the future. Thanks, Kelly!