# Metadata formatting issue

**URL:** https://forum.qiime2.org/t/metadata-formatting-issue/32002
**Category:** Technical Support
**Created:** [November 28, 2024, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/metadata-formatting-issue/32002 "2024-11-28T13:23:07Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1

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### Author: ![Matthewgordon](https://forum.qiime2.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/c67d28/32.png) [@Matthewgordon](https://forum.qiime2.org/u/Matthewgordon)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2024, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/metadata-formatting-issue/32002/1 "2024-11-28T13:23:07Z")

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Hi all,

I'm creating a metadata file and having an issue. The error I keep getting is:

"There was an issue with loading the file Metadata.csv as metadata:

Found directive '#q2:types,categorical,numeric,numeric,numeric,numeric,numeric,numeric,numeric,numeric,numeric,numeric,numeric,categorical,categorical,numeric,categorical,categorical,categorical,categorical,categorical,categorical,numeric,categorical,numeric,numeric' while searching for header. Directives may only appear immediately after the header.

There may be more errors present in the metadata file. To get a full report, sample/feature metadata files can be validated with Keemei: [https://keemei.qiime2.org](https://keemei.qiime2.org)

Find details on QIIME 2 metadata requirements here: [Metadata in QIIME 2 — QIIME 2 2024.5.0 documentation](https://docs.qiime2.org/2024.5/tutorials/metadata/)"

I've validated the file using Keemei and everything looks fine according to that. I've also downloaded example metadata files from the moving pictures tutorial ([https://data.qiime2.org/2024.5/tutorials/moving-pictures/sample\_metadata.tsv](https://data.qiime2.org/2024.5/tutorials/moving-pictures/sample_metadata.tsv)) and have organised mine the same as theirs as far as I can tell.

Thanks for your help,  
Matt

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### Author: ![salias](https://forum.qiime2.org/user_avatar/forum.qiime2.org/salias/32/18594_2.png) [@salias](https://forum.qiime2.org/u/salias)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2024, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/metadata-formatting-issue/32002/2 "2024-11-28T13:23:54Z")

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Hi @Matthewgordon !

> [@Matthewgordon](#):
>
> There was an issue with loading the file Metadata.csv as metadata

There you have the problem. QIIME 2 metadata files are TSV files, and you are using a CSV file.

Try again converting your CSV file to TSV, and if the problem persists we'll be happy to help you further.

Best,

Sergio

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### Author: ![Matthewgordon](https://forum.qiime2.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/m/c67d28/32.png) [@Matthewgordon](https://forum.qiime2.org/u/Matthewgordon)
#### Post date: [November 28, 2024, 2:07pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/metadata-formatting-issue/32002/3 "2024-11-28T14:07:05Z")

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Thanks Sergio, have converted the file now and all seems to be working.

Cheers,  
Matt

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### Author: ![system](https://forum-qiime2-org.s3.dualstack.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/original/3X/2/1/21af5fe23cb6f4579467c66a9ed94e55274ca7bd.svg) [@system](https://forum.qiime2.org/u/system)
#### Post date: [December 29, 2024, 8:07pm UTC](https://forum.qiime2.org/t/metadata-formatting-issue/32002/4 "2024-12-29T20:07:52Z")

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