How to Fix Error 90061: Invalid Column Heading in Your Upload File
Error 90061 blocks uploads when a column header (e.g., “price ” with a trailing space) doesn’t exactly match Amazon’s schema. Correct the header or rebuild the file using a fresh template, and refresh the template at least once a month to avoid repeat failures.
Overview
Amazon sellers encounter error 90061 when a column header in a flat‑file upload does not match the exact field name Amazon expects. The mismatch causes the platform to discard every value under that heading, potentially leaving listings incomplete or preventing updates. Fixing the issue quickly is essential to keep product information accurate and avoid delays in getting items live.
Key Points
- Invalid heading identified — The system flags any column whose title differs even slightly from the official Amazon schema, such as an extra space or a misspelled word.
- Data under the bad column is ignored — All rows in the offending column are skipped, so pricing, inventory, or description fields may never reach Amazon’s catalog.
- Other columns usually process — Only the column with the incorrect header is dropped; the remainder of the file continues through the feed pipeline.
- Two remediation routes — Sellers can either edit the existing file to correct the header or start with a fresh template and copy their data into it.
- Strict header matching — Amazon’s parser requires an exact, case‑sensitive match; even “sku” versus “SKU” will trigger the error.
- Repeated errors waste time — Large catalog owners who repeatedly submit faulty files can lose hours of work and experience inventory lag.
How to Fix Error 90061
-
Locate the flagged column — Open the uploaded spreadsheet, find the header that Amazon highlighted (often shown in the feed error report), and note the exact wording Amazon expects.
Example: The file shows “price ” with a trailing space, while Amazon requires “price”. -
Edit the header to match Amazon’s schema — Rename the column directly in the file, removing extra spaces, correcting spelling, and matching capitalization.
Example: Change “price ” to “price” and ensure no hidden characters remain. -
Validate against a fresh template — Download the latest listing template for the relevant product type from Seller Central, compare the header row side‑by‑side, and confirm every column name aligns perfectly.
Analysis & Recommendations
Why This Matters
When Amazon ignores a mismatched column, prices, inventory or descriptions are omitted, leading to listings with no price and potential sales loss. Large catalogs (e.g., 5,000 SKUs) can waste hours fixing the same error repeatedly, harming inventory velocity.
Key Takeaways
- Error 90061 is triggered by any header deviation, even case‑sensitivity or a trailing space.
- Data under the invalid column is completely ignored, causing missing price or inventory fields.
- Fixes include editing the header directly or copying data into a newly downloaded template.
- Amazon recommends downloading the latest template at least once a month to capture schema changes.
Recommended Actions
- →In Seller Central, go to Inventory > Add Products via Upload and download the current template for your product type.
- →Open the error report, locate the flagged column, and rename it to match the exact Amazon field (e.g., change “price ” to “price”).
- →Re‑upload the corrected file and check the Processing Summary for the absence of error 90061.
Comments
Join the discussion
Log in or create an account to share your thoughts on this update.
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!