Error: Failed to Create Report Instance When Importing from Salesforce in Clay

Patryk W. · 2026-01-15T10:55:27.857Z

while trying to import a Report from SalesForce i receive an error in Clay: "Failed to create report instance".

Error: Failed to Create Report Instance When Importing from Salesforce in Clay | Clay

10 comments

· Sorted by Oldest

Clay Support
APP
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The "Failed to create report instance" error usually happens when your Salesforce report has groupings. Clay can only import tabular and matrix reports without groupings.
Check your report format in Salesforce - it needs to be in "tabular" format without any groupings for the import to work. [1] Only tabular and matrix reports are supported, and there's a 2,000 record limit. [2]
If you're still having trouble, try using our built-in AI tool Sculptor (top-right corner) to help set up the import. Let me know if Sculptor helps or if you need more assistance!
Clay Support
APP
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Is that what you were looking for?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help resolving the "Failed to create report instance" error, I’m here to assist. Would you like to provide more details about the report you’re trying to import or any other issues you’re encountering?
Patryk W.
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still not working even though i removed the Grouping on rows and all summarizations.
Clay Support
APP
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Try clearing your browser cache and refreshing the view first - this often resolves persistent error messages.
If that doesn't work, you might need to use a different approach. Since Salesforce reports have a 2,000 record limit and can be finicky, try creating a SOQL-compatible list view instead:
1. Go to your Salesforce object and create a new list view
2. Add filters that match your report (use basic operators like =, <, >, not "contains")
3. Import this view using our "import records from a SF list" integration
You could also try logging out of Clay and back in to refresh your session token.
Before we dig deeper, try using Sculptor (top-right corner) to help set up the import - it might catch something we're missing. Let me know if Sculptor helps or if you're still stuck! [1]
Clay Support
APP
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·
Did that answer your question?
Patryk W.
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but the Report is using 3 different objects, its not possible with List Views
Clay Support
APP
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You're right - list views can't handle multi-object reports. For reports spanning 3 different objects, try using our Salesforce SOQL integration instead. [1]
SOQL lets you query across related objects with custom queries, which is perfect for your multi-object report. You can write a SELECT statement that joins the 3 objects you need.
Before we dive into SOQL setup, try using Sculptor (top-right corner) first - it can help build the right query for your multi-object needs. Let me know if Sculptor helps or if you need more guidance on the SOQL approach!
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Does this help?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help with your multi-object Salesforce report import, I’m here to assist. Would you like to share more details about what you’re trying to achieve or any specific challenges you’re facing?

Clay Support
APP
·
·
The "Failed to create report instance" error usually happens when your Salesforce report has groupings. Clay can only import tabular and matrix reports without groupings.
Check your report format in Salesforce - it needs to be in "tabular" format without any groupings for the import to work. [1] Only tabular and matrix reports are supported, and there's a 2,000 record limit. [2]
If you're still having trouble, try using our built-in AI tool Sculptor (top-right corner) to help set up the import. Let me know if Sculptor helps or if you need more assistance!
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Is that what you were looking for?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help resolving the "Failed to create report instance" error, I’m here to assist. Would you like to provide more details about the report you’re trying to import or any other issues you’re encountering?
Patryk W.
·
·
still not working even though i removed the Grouping on rows and all summarizations.
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Try clearing your browser cache and refreshing the view first - this often resolves persistent error messages.
If that doesn't work, you might need to use a different approach. Since Salesforce reports have a 2,000 record limit and can be finicky, try creating a SOQL-compatible list view instead:
1. Go to your Salesforce object and create a new list view
2. Add filters that match your report (use basic operators like =, <, >, not "contains")
3. Import this view using our "import records from a SF list" integration
You could also try logging out of Clay and back in to refresh your session token.
Before we dig deeper, try using Sculptor (top-right corner) to help set up the import - it might catch something we're missing. Let me know if Sculptor helps or if you're still stuck! [1]
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Did that answer your question?
Patryk W.
·
·
but the Report is using 3 different objects, its not possible with List Views
Clay Support
APP
·
·
You're right - list views can't handle multi-object reports. For reports spanning 3 different objects, try using our Salesforce SOQL integration instead. [1]
SOQL lets you query across related objects with custom queries, which is perfect for your multi-object report. You can write a SELECT statement that joins the 3 objects you need.
Before we dive into SOQL setup, try using Sculptor (top-right corner) first - it can help build the right query for your multi-object needs. Let me know if Sculptor helps or if you need more guidance on the SOQL approach!
Clay Support
APP
·
·
Does this help?
Clay Support
APP
·
·
If you still need help with your multi-object Salesforce report import, I’m here to assist. Would you like to share more details about what you’re trying to achieve or any specific challenges you’re facing?