{"id":2311,"date":"2026-10-20T08:30:41","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T07:30:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/article\/geodirectory-import-export-faq\/"},"modified":"2026-10-20T09:02:34","modified_gmt":"2026-10-20T08:02:34","slug":"geodirectory-import-export-faq","status":"publish","type":"gd_place","link":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/article\/how-tos\/geodirectory-import-export-faq\/","title":{"rendered":"GeoDirectory import and export FAQ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Answers to common GeoDirectory questions about import and export. Click a question to open the answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-blockstrap-blockstrap-widget-accordion accordion mb-3\">\n<div class=\"accordion-item\" id=\"heading-import-without-lat-lon\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\"><button class=\"accordion-button\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse-import-without-lat-lon\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-controls=\"collapse-import-without-lat-lon\">Can I import listings that have an address but no latitude and longitude?<\/button><\/h2><div class=\"accordion-collapse collapse show\" id=\"collapse-import-without-lat-lon\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-import-without-lat-lon\" data-bs-parent=\"\"><div class=\"wp-block-blockstrap-blockstrap-widget-accordion-item accordion-body pb-0\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. When you import listings with the GeoDirectory CSV import (GeoDirectory > Import &amp; Export), it looks up the coordinates from the address for any row where latitude or longitude is empty. Include the <code>latitude<\/code> and <code>longitude<\/code> columns in the CSV and leave them blank, and fill in the street, city, region, country and zip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lookup uses your geocoding service: the Google Geocoding API key in GeoDirectory > Settings > General (Map Settings, Show Advanced), or your Google Maps key if that is empty. Large files make one lookup per listing, so check your API quota first. Rows that cannot be geocoded are reported as errors. The <a href=\"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/article\/how-tos\/csv-imports-useful-tips\/\">CSV imports: useful tips<\/a> page has more detail.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"accordion-item\" id=\"heading-csv-import-zero-listings\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse-csv-import-zero-listings\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse-csv-import-zero-listings\">Why does my CSV import add 0 listings?<\/button><\/h2><div class=\"accordion-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-csv-import-zero-listings\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-csv-import-zero-listings\" data-bs-parent=\"\"><div class=\"wp-block-blockstrap-blockstrap-widget-accordion-item accordion-body pb-0\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GeoDirectory checks every row before it imports it and skips the ones that fail. When nothing gets imported, it&#8217;s usually one of these:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The <code>post_type<\/code> column is empty or isn&#8217;t a GeoDirectory post type, such as <code>gd_place<\/code>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <code>post_title<\/code> column is empty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><code>latitude<\/code> and <code>longitude<\/code> are empty and the address can&#8217;t be geocoded. GeoDirectory looks up the coordinates from the address, so your Google API key (or OpenStreetMap) has to be able to geocode it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The coordinates are filled in but <code>city<\/code>, <code>region<\/code> or <code>country<\/code> is empty.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start from the sample CSV at GeoDirectory &gt; Settings &gt; Import\/Export &gt; Listings and keep its column names. The <a href=\"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/article\/how-tos\/csv-imports-useful-tips\/\">CSV import tips<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/article\/useful-plugins\/i-get-an-error-when-trying-to-import-a-csv-file\/\">CSV import errors<\/a> pages cover file format problems.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"accordion-item\" id=\"heading-import-google-places\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse-import-google-places\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse-import-google-places\">Can I import places from Google Places into GeoDirectory?<\/button><\/h2><div class=\"accordion-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-import-google-places\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-import-google-places\" data-bs-parent=\"\"><div class=\"wp-block-blockstrap-blockstrap-widget-accordion-item accordion-body pb-0\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not in bulk. Google&#8217;s Places API terms do not allow you to copy and store their place data to build your own database, and GeoDirectory does not supply listing data.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For single listings, the Social Importer add-on can pull details from a Google Business Profile, Yelp, Tripadvisor or Facebook page into a new listing. See <a href=\"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/article\/social-importer\/how-to-set-up-social-importer-for-google-my-business-for-geodirectory\/\">How to set up Social Importer for Google My Business<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"accordion-item\" id=\"heading-not-a-valid-csv-file\"><h2 class=\"accordion-header\"><button class=\"accordion-button collapsed\" type=\"button\" data-bs-toggle=\"collapse\" data-bs-target=\"#collapse-not-a-valid-csv-file\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"collapse-not-a-valid-csv-file\">Why do I get &quot;The uploaded file is not a valid csv file&quot; when importing listings?<\/button><\/h2><div class=\"accordion-collapse collapse\" id=\"collapse-not-a-valid-csv-file\" aria-labelledby=\"heading-not-a-valid-csv-file\" data-bs-parent=\"\"><div class=\"wp-block-blockstrap-blockstrap-widget-accordion-item accordion-body pb-0\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">GeoDirectory shows this when the uploaded file does not pass the WordPress file type check, or it cannot read the file afterwards. Check these, then upload again in GeoDirectory &gt; Import\/Export &gt; Listings:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The file name ends in <code>.csv<\/code> and it is saved as comma separated values (UTF-8). A file saved with semicolons or tabs, or still in Excel format, will fail.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You are logged in as an administrator.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A security plugin or your host is not blocking CSV uploads.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <code>wp-content\/uploads\/geodir_temp<\/code> folder can be written to by the server.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The old error &#8220;Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons&#8221; came from a WordPress 4.7.1 bug. GeoDirectory now handles the file type check for CSV imports itself, so you do not need a plugin for it. See also <a href=\"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/article\/useful-plugins\/i-get-an-error-when-trying-to-import-a-csv-file\/\">I get an error when trying to import a CSV file!<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">{\n    \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n    \"@type\": \"FAQPage\",\n    \"mainEntity\": [\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Can I import listings that have an address but no latitude and longitude?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Yes. When you import listings with the GeoDirectory CSV import (GeoDirectory \\u003E Import \\u0026 Export), it looks up the coordinates from the address for any row where latitude or longitude is empty. Include the latitude and longitude columns in the CSV and leave them blank, and fill in the street, city, region, country and zip.\\n\\n\\n\\nThe lookup uses your geocoding service: the Google Geocoding API key in GeoDirectory \\u003E Settings \\u003E General (Map Settings, Show Advanced), or your Google Maps key if that is empty. Large files make one lookup per listing, so check your API quota first. Rows that cannot be geocoded are reported as errors. The CSV imports: useful tips page has more detail.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Why does my CSV import add 0 listings?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"GeoDirectory checks every row before it imports it and skips the ones that fail. When nothing gets imported, it\\u0027s usually one of these:\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nThe post_type column is empty or isn\\u0027t a GeoDirectory post type, such as gd_place.\\n\\n\\n\\nThe post_title column is empty.\\n\\n\\n\\nlatitude and longitude are empty and the address can\\u0027t be geocoded. GeoDirectory looks up the coordinates from the address, so your Google API key (or OpenStreetMap) has to be able to geocode it.\\n\\n\\n\\nThe coordinates are filled in but city, region or country is empty.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nStart from the sample CSV at GeoDirectory \\u003E Settings \\u003E Import\/Export \\u003E Listings and keep its column names. The CSV import tips and CSV import errors pages cover file format problems.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Can I import places from Google Places into GeoDirectory?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"Not in bulk. Google\\u0027s Places API terms do not allow you to copy and store their place data to build your own database, and GeoDirectory does not supply listing data.\\n\\n\\n\\nFor single listings, the Social Importer add-on can pull details from a Google Business Profile, Yelp, Tripadvisor or Facebook page into a new listing. See How to set up Social Importer for Google My Business.\"\n            }\n        },\n        {\n            \"@type\": \"Question\",\n            \"name\": \"Why do I get \\u0022The uploaded file is not a valid csv file\\u0022 when importing listings?\",\n            \"acceptedAnswer\": {\n                \"@type\": \"Answer\",\n                \"text\": \"GeoDirectory shows this when the uploaded file does not pass the WordPress file type check, or it cannot read the file afterwards. Check these, then upload again in GeoDirectory \\u003E Import\/Export \\u003E Listings:\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nThe file name ends in .csv and it is saved as comma separated values (UTF-8). A file saved with semicolons or tabs, or still in Excel format, will fail.\\n\\n\\n\\nYou are logged in as an administrator.\\n\\n\\n\\nA security plugin or your host is not blocking CSV uploads.\\n\\n\\n\\nThe wp-content\/uploads\/geodir_temp folder can be written to by the server.\\n\\n\\n\\n\\nThe old error \\u0022Sorry, this file type is not permitted for security reasons\\u0022 came from a WordPress 4.7.1 bug. GeoDirectory now handles the file type check for CSV imports itself, so you do not need a plugin for it. See also I get an error when trying to import a CSV file!.\"\n            }\n        }\n    ]\n}<\/script>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Answers to common GeoDirectory questions about import and export. Click a question to open the answer.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"article\/tags":[],"article\/categories":[211,432],"class_list":["post-2311","gd_place","type-gd_place","status-publish","hentry","gd_placecategory-tips-tricks-more","gd_placecategory-how-tos"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2311","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/gd_place"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2311"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2311\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2965,"href":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/2311\/revisions\/2965"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2311"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"gd_place_tags","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/tags?post=2311"},{"taxonomy":"gd_placecategory","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpgeodirectory.com\/documentation\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article\/categories?post=2311"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}