Frequently Asked Questions

Product: Personnel Manager

Version: Single/Multi User

Code: PMFAQ012

Title: List Index out of bounds (?)

Q: "I’m trying to import a text file into Personnel Manager but I get an error saying ‘List index out of bounds’ followed by a number in brackets?".

A: This is caused by an inconsistent amount of commas per row. The most common file format is CSV files (Comma Separated Value). This means that the information in the file is separated by commas.

For example, if you are importing address information for the following fields:

  1. First Name
  2. Surname
  3. Address Line 1
  4. Address Line 2
  5. Address Line 3
  6. Address Line 4
  7. Address Line 5
  8. Post Code

The file might look similar to this:

Michael,Donaghy,59, Hillside View,Nailsea,Bristol,,,BS12 1HG

When you set up the file for import, the system thinks that you are going to import eight fields of information. However, if you tried to import the above file you would get the error ‘List Index out of bounds (9)’. This is because there is an extra comma in the first line of the address (59, Hillside View) causing the system to think there is a 9th column.

There are two ways to resolve this. First, remove all the commas from the address. Secondly, you can use Text Qualifiers when exporting the data. Your import file would then look like this:

"Michael","Donaghy","59, Hillside View","Nailsea","Bristol","","","BS12 1HG"

The system now knows not to start a new field until there is a "," in the data.

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Vizual Business Tools Ltd.

Fax: 01934 418203

Email: Internet: www.VisualPersonnel.co.uk

FAQ Sheet Code PMFAQ012:

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o More technical detail needed o Other (Please comment below)