# Inconsistent error messages from ZIP file validator **URL:** \ **Category:** Accounts\ **Created:** [October 22, 2025, 2:25pm UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/inconsistent-error-messages-from-zip-file-validator/1829 "2025-10-22T14:25:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![user49](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/u/9f8e36/32.png) [@user49](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/user49)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2025, 2:25pm UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/inconsistent-error-messages-from-zip-file-validator/1829/1 "2025-10-22T14:25:52Z")
I have been trying unsuccessfully to upload a package accounts ZIP file for a CIC with both CIC34 and accounts tagged XHTML files in separate directories. Just in case, I have checked the validity of the accounts file and it passes (there is no online validator for the CIC34 that I can find). The complaint from the validator is about the directory structure. The error message is inconsistent - it complains about a missing directory which it also says is present (and extraneous). Speciically it says that directory CIC34 is missing and that itshould be in the CIC-{company number} directory. It also says that the CIC34 sub directory exists and is extraneous. What am I missing here? Any help gratefully received. Below: 1. Text of error message 2. screenshot of same message 3. structure of the zip file (in first reply). Your package accounts zip file is not valid Your file ‘CIC-15411043.zip’ is not valid because: • Missing required directory called “CIC34” which should be inside the “CIC-{companyNumber}” directory • ZIP package accounts has extraneous folders and files that are not required. [CIC-15411043/CIC34/, CIC-15411043/CIC34/CIC34\_report.xhtml] ![Screenshot 2025-10-22 at 13.06.46](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/uploads/default/original/1X/f0572fda10bed56643829a60cc90d9616fa8e009.png) Zip file contents in reply ---
**Author:** ![user49](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/u/9f8e36/32.png) [@user49](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/user49)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2025, 2:26pm UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/inconsistent-error-messages-from-zip-file-validator/1829/2 "2025-10-22T14:26:34Z")
![Screenshot 2025-10-22 at 13.08.08](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/uploads/default/original/1X/d478066d80f5eb55a6ba0acbb67a9aa13c69545c.png) ---
**Author:** ![snicholas](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/user_avatar/xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/snicholas/32/81_2.png) [@snicholas](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/snicholas)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2025, 9:29am UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/inconsistent-error-messages-from-zip-file-validator/1829/3 "2025-10-31T09:29:19Z")
Many apologies for the delayed response on this, its incredibly busy for us at present. Have you tried any other avenue at Companies House to resolve this please? If not, please email [xml@companieshouse.gov.uk](mailto:xml@companieshouse.gov.uk) along with the full submission in an attachment and I will get it looked at. Please bear with us however. SDN ---
**Author:** ![user49](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/u/9f8e36/32.png) [@user49](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/user49)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2025, 6:10am UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/inconsistent-error-messages-from-zip-file-validator/1829/4 "2025-11-04T06:10:46Z")
Thank you St Nicolas 😉 We were invited to send it all on paper, which we did. So the submission is complete (we hope) but the technical process has not been remedied. I’ll send you our ZIP file. Thanks ---
**Author:** ![user49](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/u/9f8e36/32.png) [@user49](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/user49)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2026, 10:04am UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/inconsistent-error-messages-from-zip-file-validator/1829/5 "2026-02-13T10:04:33Z")
Hello again @snicholas could I ask that we review this? It has come time for us to represent our files to Companies House (for 2025) and would love to do this via XML. I did send a submission to [xml@companieshouse.co.uk](mailto:xml@companieshouse.co.uk) with reference: COH1559354X ---
**Author:** ![kadach](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/k/3be4f8/32.png) [@kadach](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/u/kadach)\ **Post date:** [February 16, 2026, 1:27pm UTC](https://xmlforum.companieshouse.gov.uk/t/inconsistent-error-messages-from-zip-file-validator/1829/6 "2026-02-16T13:27:40Z")
Hi @user49 I’m not sure you sent it to the correct email address. Please send your ZIP file to: [xml@companieshouse.gov.uk](mailto:xml@companieshouse.gov.uk). Thanks, KAJ