If your CVs aren't uploading to Manatal, you're wasting time on guesswork and manual fixes. This guide helps you diagnose the problem fast and apply the right fix with minimal hassle.
TL;DR: Manatal rejects CVs mainly due to file size, format, encoding, corrupted content, or scanned images. Run through the quick decision tree below to pinpoint the cause, then apply the straightforward fixes. For bulk or recurring issues, Distill automates CV formatting to Manatal's requirements in 30 seconds.
Quick diagnosis: Why isn’t Manatal uploading your CV?
Start here to narrow down the cause within a minute:
| Symptom | Likely cause | Quick check |
|---|---|---|
| Upload fails immediately with “unsupported format” | Wrong file type or extension mismatch | Confirm file is .docx, .pdf, or .txt |
| Upload hangs or times out | File too large | Check file size; Manatal limit is 10MB |
| Upload fails with garbled text or parsing errors | Wrong text encoding or corrupted file | Open file in text editor; look for gibberish |
| CV uploads but data fields not extracted | CV is scanned image or OCR failed | Open PDF; is it selectable text or image? |
| Upload fails with “MIME type mismatch” | File extension does not match MIME | Use online MIME checker or browser dev tools |
If none of these fit, the file might have hidden formatting or corrupt elements. Proceed to root causes.
Root causes of Manatal CV upload issues (ranked by frequency)
1. File size exceeding 10MB
Manatal rejects files over 10MB. Large CVs with embedded images or heavy formatting trigger this.
2. Unsupported or mismatched file formats
Manatal supports DOCX, PDF, and TXT. Older DOC or RTF files often cause errors. Also, renaming PDF to DOCX won't work.
3. Wrong or inconsistent text encoding
Files saved with non-UTF-8 encoding may appear as gibberish or cause parsing errors. This is common with TXT files exported from legacy systems.
4. Scanned CVs without OCR layer
Image-only PDFs don't parse candidate details. Manatal needs selectable text to extract fields.
5. Corrupted or malformed files
Partially saved or interrupted downloads can corrupt CV files, causing upload failure.
6. MIME type mismatch
When file extension doesn't match the file's MIME type, Manatal flags an error. This happens if users rename files incorrectly.
7. Hidden objects and complex formatting
Tables, text boxes, headers or footers can confuse Manatal's parser. This often leads to missing candidate data after upload.
Step-by-step fix for Manatal CV upload errors
Check file format and extension
- Confirm the CV is saved as PDF, DOCX, or TXT.
- Don't rename file extensions manually; save/export correctly from the source.
- For DOC files, convert to DOCX in Word or Google Docs.
Reduce file size
- Compress images or remove them.
- Save PDF as "Optimised" or "Reduced size" using Acrobat or similar.
- Remove unnecessary graphics or embedded fonts.
Fix encoding issues
- For TXT files, open in Notepad++ or similar.
- Convert encoding to UTF-8 without BOM.
- Save and retry upload.
Add OCR to scanned PDFs
- Use Acrobat's "Recognise Text" feature or free online OCR tools.
- Save PDF with OCR layer before upload.
Repair corrupted files
- Open file in Word or PDF reader; save as new file.
- If file won't open, ask candidate to resend or rescan.
Correct MIME type issues
- Avoid renaming extensions by hand.
- Use a tool like fileinfo.com to check MIME.
- Resave file in the correct format.
Simplify formatting
- Remove tables, text boxes, and headers/footers.
- Convert CV to plain DOCX or text-only PDF for best results.
How to prevent Manatal upload issues on future CVs
- Ask candidates to submit CVs as DOCX or PDF with selectable text.
- Avoid scanned CVs or request OCR versions.
- Use consistent file naming and formats internally.
- Train your team to compress files over 10MB before upload.
- Spot-check CVs by opening them before submitting.
- Automate formatting with a tool that outputs Manatal-ready CVs.
When to escalate to Distill
If you're submitting 20+ CVs weekly to Manatal and spend time fixing the above issues, Distill can help. It automatically:
- Converts files to DOCX or PDF as required
- Removes images, tables, and complex formatting
- Adds OCR where needed
- Strips personal details to comply with GDPR
- Compresses and repairs file corruption
Distill reduces manual fixes and upload failures, letting your team focus on recruitment, not file cleanup.
FAQ
Why does Manatal reject my perfectly normal PDF?
If the PDF is scanned or image-only, Manatal can't extract data. You need an OCR layer. Also, oversized PDFs or those with password protection fail silently.
Can I upload DOC files?
No. Manatal only accepts DOCX. Convert DOC to DOCX before uploading.
How do I check the file size?
Right-click the file, select Properties or Get Info. If above 10MB, reduce size or remove images.
My CV uploads but data fields are empty. Why?
Likely a scanned PDF without text or complex formatting preventing parsing.
Is OCR free to add?
Some tools are free, but batch OCR usually needs paid software or services.
Does Distill integrate directly with Manatal?
Not yet. Distill processes CVs to Manatal's spec before upload, reducing errors but doesn't automate the upload itself.
If you're tired of Manatal CV upload errors, fix them in 30 seconds with Distill. It standardises file format, compresses size, adds OCR, and strips problematic formatting — so your CVs upload first time, every time. Try Distill free today.