A valid SIMcloud bulk recharge file has exactly four columns: msisdn,network,value,reference. The safest process is to start with the official workbook, format the mobile-number column as text, keep every header unchanged, use the accepted network codes and export the final sheet as a standard CSV.
Never repair a rejected CSV by guessing inside the uploaded copy. Correct the original spreadsheet, export a fresh CSV and review it before uploading again.
Start with the official template
- Sign in to SIMcloud and open Bulk Recharge.
- Download the template linked in the How it works panel.
- Open the workbook in Excel, LibreOffice or another spreadsheet program.
- Delete every dummy row but keep the header row.
- Save a clean master workbook for the next recharge cycle.
The required header is:
msisdn,network,value,referenceDo not rename msisdn to cell, add a fifth notes column or insert a title above the header. SIMcloud maps rows by these exact field names and expects four columns.
Protect mobile numbers from spreadsheet changes
Spreadsheet software often treats a mobile number as an ordinary number. That can remove the leading zero, convert long values to scientific notation or apply punctuation.
- Select the entire
msisdncolumn before pasting data. - Set its number format to Text.
- Paste the mobile numbers.
- Check the first and last digits against the source list.
- Search for scientific notation such as
8.21E+09.
SIMcloud removes non-digit characters and normalises South African prefixes during import, but a digit already lost or changed by the spreadsheet cannot be reconstructed reliably.
Complete all four fields
| Field | Airtime | Data |
|---|---|---|
msisdn | South African mobile number, preferably in 0821234567 format. | |
network | vodacom, mtn, cellc, telkom | pd-vodacom, pd-mtn, pd-cellc, pd-telkom |
value | Rand amount from 2 to 999. | Exact listed value of a valid bundle for the selected network. |
reference | Required operational reference; the bulk importer stores up to 30 characters. | |
Accepted aliases exist for some networks, but consistent full names and the recommended pd- codes are easier for another reviewer to understand.
References containing commas
A comma inside a reference can create an extra column if it is not quoted correctly. Let the spreadsheet export the file rather than manually inserting commas in a text editor. A correct exported row may look like:
0821234567,vodacom,50,"Survey reward, July"Export the workbook as CSV
- Finish the data review in the spreadsheet.
- Choose Save As or Export.
- Select a standard comma-separated CSV format.
- If asked, save only the active worksheet.
- Keep the source workbook separately; CSV does not preserve spreadsheet formatting.
- Open the exported CSV once to confirm the header and first few rows.
SIMcloud can parse comma or semicolon delimiters, but a standard comma-separated export is the clearest option. Do not mix delimiters inside one file.
Keep bulk files below the recommended 5,000 transactions per upload. For larger operations, use smaller named files so failures and totals are easier to isolate.
Fix common SIMcloud CSV errors
| Error | Likely cause | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| File is empty, has no header or is invalid. | Blank export, wrong worksheet or missing header. | Open the source workbook, confirm the active sheet and export again. |
| Expected four columns but found another number. | Missing delimiter, extra comma or unquoted comma in a reference. | Inspect the stated line and export a structurally consistent CSV. |
| Invalid network field. | Unsupported spelling or airtime/data code. | Use one of the recommended network values in the table above. |
| No recharge amount or amount outside 2–999. | Blank, formatted or invalid airtime value. | Use a plain numeric airtime value in range. |
| Invalid product. | A data value does not match the current network bundle list. | Select the exact product value from public pricing. |
| The reference cannot be empty. | Blank reference cell. | Add a meaningful value to every row. |
When the error names a line, return to that line in the source workbook. Correcting only the visible row may reveal another invalid row on the next upload, so run a complete column check before exporting again.
Duplicate prevention is operational: once a valid batch is confirmed, wait for its network results. Do not upload the same file again because the page appears slow.
Frequently asked questions
Can I upload the Excel template directly?
No. Complete the workbook and export the final sheet as CSV.
Why did the leading zero disappear?
The spreadsheet treated the phone number as numeric data. Format the column as Text before pasting.
Can the reference contain a comma?
Yes, if the CSV exporter correctly encloses the field in quotes. Keeping references simple reduces avoidable formatting errors.
Why is my data product invalid?
The value does not match a current bundle for the chosen data-network code. Check public pricing and correct the value.
Should I upload again while the batch is pending?
No. Wait for the original batch status; another confirmed upload can result in duplicate recharges.