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CALPADS error brief · FRMT

FRMT0009

Invalid column count for file type
Severity Fatal
Error type Input Validation
Record type FRMT

Official CALPADS rule

What CALPADS is rejecting

Format for invalid column (fields) count based on file type

Focus fields

Fields validated

All SELA fields

Recommended correction path

Suggested resolution

Fields validated

All SELA fields and delimiters

The problem is structural: one missing or extra delimiter shifts every field that follows it.

Empty is not the same as absent

ConditionWhat the file must containCommon failure
Required value presentDelimiter + value + delimiterEmbedded delimiter splits the value
Optional value blankTwo delimiters preserving the empty positionThe entire position is removed
Name contains punctuationValue handled according to export rulesManual editing introduces an extra separator
Current SELA layoutExact current field count and orderVendor exports an older version

Do not add a delimiter at the end until the missing position is identified. A row can reach the expected count while every later value remains in the wrong field.

Recommended correction path

  1. 1

    Preserve the raw file

    Inspect it in a plain-text editor; spreadsheet software may hide empty positions or reinterpret values.

  2. 2

    Compare with a known-good row

    Count delimiters and align each position with the current SELA layout.

  3. 3

    Find the first shift

    The first field that no longer matches its expected data type usually reveals the missing or extra position.

  4. 4

    Verify the source record

    Confirm SSID, identity, ELAS code, start date, and primary language before rebuilding the row.

  5. 5

    Correct the extract

    Repair the template, quoting/delimiter rule, or vendor version and regenerate the entire file.

Official FRMT0009 page