How to Find Errors in an Amazon Ads Export File

Start with a Completeness Check

Before you compare any metrics, verify that the export itself is intact. Look for missing columns, blank cells in key fields like campaign name or ad group, and a row count that seems lower than the expected number of campaigns or search terms. Also check that the export covers the full reporting period you requested.

• Compare the file's date range against your request.
• Confirm that expected Amazon Ads columns are present, including spend, sales, and clicks where relevant.
• Scan for blank cells in fields that should never be empty, such as campaign ID or ad group name.
• Check the total number of data rows after the header.

Find Duplicate Rows and Mismatched Totals

Duplicates are common when multiple exports are merged or when the same report is pulled more than once with slightly different filters. Sort by campaign ID, ad group ID, and search term, then look for repeated combinations. Mismatched summary totals are another red flag: if the sum of individual rows does not equal the file's summary row, part of the data may be missing or truncated.

• Use a pivot table or conditional formatting to highlight repeated campaign-target-keyword combinations.
• Compare summary totals against the sum of the detail rows.
• Check whether the number of unique campaigns or ad groups matches what you see in Amazon Ads.
• If totals do not reconcile, re-export the report with the same filters before proceeding.

When This Matters

Error checking becomes more important when the export feeds budget changes, negative keyword decisions, or reports shared with a team. A single duplicated row can make a search term look more expensive than it actually is, while missing rows can hide wasted spend. If you manage multiple Amazon marketplaces or accounts, consistent import validation is even more relevant because similar issues can appear across separate files.

For a more automated approach, tools like the Amazon Ads Dashboard consolidate imported reports and can help you spot trends, while the Amz Ad Waste Detector supports full-cycle report analysis from CSV/XLSX exports and email imports.