---
title: "Import data from zip"
url: "https://openforis.support/questions/4300/import-data-from-zip"
tags: ["arena", "arena-mobile"]
status: "answered"
score: 0
answer_count: 4
asked: "2025-08-06T02:02:21"
last_activity: "2025-09-06T11:56:43"
source: "Open Foris Support - Q&A Forum"
license: "Copyright Open Foris, 2026. Some rights reserved under creative commons license."
---

# Import data from zip

Asked by Lissette on 2025-08-06

Hello OF team,

I am trying to import to open foris arena web a .zip file corresponding to the local backup of Arena Mobile 2. However I get error 499 and then "Unexpected error: TypeError [ERR_INVALID_ARG_TYPE]: The "path" argument must be of type string or an instance of Buffer or URL. Received null."
I also tried the “Send Data” option from the app, but I get the following error: "Error uploading file. Details [object Object]"
Thank you for your help.


## Answer (score 0, by Stefano (OF) on 2025-08-06)

Link: https://openforis.support/questions/4300/import-data-from-zip/4301

Dear Lissette,  
We have sent an email to your private address to gather more details about your issue. We'll be in touch shortly.  
Many thanks,  
Open Foris Team


## Answer (score 0, by Stefano (OF) on 2025-08-11)

Link: https://openforis.support/questions/4300/import-data-from-zip/4309

Dear Lissette,  
The problem you are mentioning is related to the size of the file being uploaded to the Arena server (the data upload reaches a timeout and the connection between client and server is closed before the process is complete).  
In case you have similar problems from the mobile app, you should try submit few records at a time:  
 - check the sync status  
 - select the records with a long press  
 - press the Export button on top  

Another thing you should try is to define a lower limit for the maximum file size, if you have file attributes defined in your survey, and try to estimate the size of every record being uploaded to the server, including the attached files.  

Please let us know if you encounter similar problems in the future.  
Many thanks,  
Open Foris Team


## Answer (score 0, by chris_1123 on 2025-09-05)

Link: https://openforis.support/questions/4300/import-data-from-zip/4334

Dear all

I encountered the same error when attempting to upload new records. This error occurred when uploading directly from the iPad, as well as when importing from the ZIP export.

My upload contains eight files, each between 10 and 18 MB in size.

After several attempts the upload from the ZIP export suddenly worked. 

Is there a solution or workaround for this problem?

Thank you
Christoph


## Answer (score 0, by Stefano (OF) on 2025-09-06)

Link: https://openforis.support/questions/4300/import-data-from-zip/4335

Dear Christoph,  
We are still working on this issue.  
Meanwhile, please try to submit one record at a time to the server, following the instructions in the previous message, or export the data locally, then import it into Arena server using the web user interface.  
Many thanks,  
Open Foris Team