GiftAider checks imported rows before they become live donor and donation records. Review validation errors before merging a batch.

Review the batch

1. Open the import list.
2. Find the batch by filename, time or job ID.
3. Compare the imported, valid and error counts.
4. Select View Data.
5. Filter to errors only where the option is available.
6. Open an errored row and read every validation message.

Common issues include an incomplete name or address, malformed postcode, unsupported country value, invalid amount or date, or a claim status that excludes the row.

Choose where to correct the data

Correct the source file when it is the authoritative record or when many rows share the same problem. Correct a row inside GiftAider only when the interface supports that field and you can verify the right value.

Use Auto Fix only when the suggested change is clearly correct. Do not use it to guess a donor’s identity, address, declaration or donation date.

Download error details

1. Open the job or batch details.
2. Select the error download where available.
3. Open the file in a spreadsheet application.
4. Check that one source row remains one spreadsheet row.
5. Check that messages containing commas remain in one column.
6. Use the source reference to find and correct each record.

Merge valid rows

If your organisation’s process allows a partial merge, review the totals first. Merge only the valid rows and keep the errored rows out of live donation records. If you cancel and re-upload instead, check that the original batch did not already create records.

Expected result

Invalid rows show validation messages and remain distinguishable from valid rows. The error download opens with readable columns. Before merging, compare the displayed totals with the valid rows and investigate any mismatch.

Related guidance

• Using validation and Auto Fix
• Fixing unclaimed donations with validation issues
• Create and maintain import mappings
• Understand GiftAider jobs and statuses

Last updated on: October 5, 2026