Bromcom – CTF file failing import with “Check that a valid XML file is attached for importing data” error message

When trying to import a CTF file via Students > Actions > CTF Import you could have it fail with the error message

This is usually caused by there being an invalid character within the file. This includes accented characters such as é for example which some pupil or contact names could contain.

You will need to check the file for any such characters and replace them with the standard character instead. NOTE these can be added back in Bromcom once the file is imported successfully.

Right click the file > Open with > Notepad. See below an example of what it will look like.  Amend the file where required then file > save. Now you can import to Bromcom.

TIP: A quicker way to find out where the issue may be is to open the file in Excel, format the data into a table and scroll the lines looking for the invalid character. The line in Excel will match up with what line you need to change in the file. For example if you notice é on line 31 in Excel it will be that when opened in notepad.