When something breaks
Missing required fields, duplicates, bad formats, dead connections, renamed tabs, record limits, and runs that only half finished.
12 min read · Updated July 2026
Start with the issue summary
Open the sync with the partial or failed result. SheetSync groups similar problems together and names the row, record, or Attio field whenever it can.
- 01
Read the headline
Is it authentication, a missing required value, a duplicate key, a bad format, or a source it couldn’t reach?
- 02
Open the detail
Note the row numbers, the fields, and a sample identifier or two.
- 03
Apply the fix
Change the smallest set of cells or mappings that resolves it.
- 04
Run it once
Get the issue count to zero before you change anything unrelated.
The usual suspects
| Problem | Usually because | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Required Attio field is missing | A new row has no value in a mapped required column, or the mapping got removed. | Fill the column it names, restore the mapping, or set a valid Attio default. |
| Duplicate key value | Two rows or records share an email, domain, or external ID. | Fix the duplicate. One stable unique value per thing. |
| Invalid email, phone, number, or date | The cell text can’t be converted safely. | Use the recommended format and run again. |
| Spreadsheet or tab unavailable | Access changed, the tab was renamed or deleted, or the Google connection expired. | Restore access or the original tab name, then reconnect Google if you need to. |
| An Attio list isn’t showing up | The connection doesn’t have list permissions. | Reconnect Attio from the setup screen and approve list access. |
| Can’t match a linked record | The related object has no mapped stable key, or it has duplicates. | Map something unique on it, like a domain or an external ID. |
| Only some records synced | The run hit a plan limit, or individual rows were invalid. | Two different things — check the record-limit banner and the issue summary separately. |
Required Attio field is missing
- Usually because
- A new row has no value in a mapped required column, or the mapping got removed.
- Fix
- Fill the column it names, restore the mapping, or set a valid Attio default.
Duplicate key value
- Usually because
- Two rows or records share an email, domain, or external ID.
- Fix
- Fix the duplicate. One stable unique value per thing.
Invalid email, phone, number, or date
- Usually because
- The cell text can’t be converted safely.
- Fix
- Use the recommended format and run again.
Spreadsheet or tab unavailable
- Usually because
- Access changed, the tab was renamed or deleted, or the Google connection expired.
- Fix
- Restore access or the original tab name, then reconnect Google if you need to.
An Attio list isn’t showing up
- Usually because
- The connection doesn’t have list permissions.
- Fix
- Reconnect Attio from the setup screen and approve list access.
Can’t match a linked record
- Usually because
- The related object has no mapped stable key, or it has duplicates.
- Fix
- Map something unique on it, like a domain or an external ID.
Only some records synced
- Usually because
- The run hit a plan limit, or individual rows were invalid.
- Fix
- Two different things — check the record-limit banner and the issue summary separately.
A value keeps reverting
Check the direction first. Attio → Sheet means Attio is in charge of mapped values. Sheet → Attio means the sheet is. An edit on the side that isn’t in charge gets replaced on the next run.
[ Deal Stage keeps going back to Received ]
The direction is Sheet → Attio.
The sheet still says Received in the mapped Deal Stage column.
Changing the Attio deal to Under Review doesn’t change the sheet — and the sheet is in charge.
Fix the sheet, flip the direction, or go bidirectional if both edits should count.
Rows got sorted or moved
Keep row 1 as your header row, and always sort the whole data range so each row’s values stay together. A stable match field matters far more than row position — names change and row numbers move.
Never sort a single column on its own
It separates identifiers from their data and can attach the wrong values to the wrong record. Restore from sheet history before you run another sync.
Reconnecting an account
Reconnect when the dashboard says authorization expired or isn’t sufficient, when Google stops showing the spreadsheet you want, or when Attio lists need permissions you haven’t granted yet.
- Pause the affected syncs first.
- Reconnect the same workspace or Google account where you can.
- Check the spreadsheet and Attio source are still reachable.
- Resume one sync, run it on demand, then resume the rest.
When to just email us
Write to hello@appstronauts.shop when the suggested fix doesn’t work, when the same row keeps failing with data that looks fine, or when the run result and what you can see disagree.
- The sync name, and roughly when it ran.
- The issue headline and the affected row numbers.
- What you expected, and what you got instead.
- Never send tokens, passwords, or a full export of sensitive data.