If you're trying to upload a file to suppress contacts from an upcoming campaign and see the message, "The file uploaded cannot be processed," there are a few common issues that may be causing the error. This article walks through how to set up your suppression file correctly and what to do if issues persist.
Before uploading your suppression file, ensure it meets the following requirements:
File format must be .txt.
Only email addresses should be included—no names or additional data.
Email addresses must be listed one per line, with no commas or other separators.
No header rows—don’t include column titles like "Email" or "Email Address."
Avoid blank rows, especially at the top or bottom of the file.
All email addresses must be properly formatted (e.g., example@domain.com).
If you've reviewed the file and still can't upload it, consider the following troubleshooting tips:
Uppercase emails: If any addresses are in ALL CAPS, try converting them to lowercase.
Using a Mac? Files saved from macOS may not default to plain text. To be sure:
Open the list in Excel.
Save the file as "Tab Delimited Text (.txt)"—this ensures proper formatting.
If file issues persist, you don’t have to rely on a suppression file. Delivra offers built-in suppression tools that may be easier to manage:
Suppress by category in your campaign setup:
Import the list of emails into your account.
Create a new category for them.
In Step 3 (Contacts) of the Campaign setup, choose to suppress by category.
Update your segment with suppression logic:
After creating your suppression category, edit the segment you're sending to.
Add a clause like "Category is not [Your Suppression Category]".
These options are especially useful when you're sending recurring campaigns and want to avoid re-uploading files each time.
If you’ve walked through all of the above and the issue persists, reach out to our support team.