topic Re: Error: Initializing form. CSV column heading "" cannot be turned into a valid XML element in ArcGIS Survey123 Questions

Error: Initializing form. CSV column heading "" cannot be turned into a valid XML element

AdamMesser1 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 23:01:44 GMT

Encountered this error after updating a Survey123 Connect form. The error occurred on the web form, however I did not confirm if this error occurred on the app. The form uses a pull data function targeting a csv within the Files/media folder. The csv was updated and during editing I believe data may have been copied to adjacent cells causing S123 connect to interpret the column as possibly having data, even though there was no column heading nor visible data. The error was resolved after deleting several "blank" columns to the right of the valid columns and republishing the form.

Not sure if this is the best way to post a resolved issue, but figured it might save someone time.

Re: Error: Initializing form. CSV column heading "" cannot be turned into a valid XML element

AdamMesser1 — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 23:03:20 GMT

Deleted suspect problem columns from the csv referenced in the pull data function. After republishing the error dissapeared.

Re: Error: Initializing form. CSV column heading "" cannot be turned into a valid XML element

LindsayRaabe_FPCWA — Wed, 04 Feb 2026 04:40:29 GMT

Just been trying to troubleshoot this issue myself. Thank you for posting and saving me a heap of headaches.