# Error: Invalid import ID format: expected <resource_type>.<name> <id>

- **ID:** `terraform/invalid-import-id-format`
- **Domain:** terraform
- **Category:** config_error
- **Verification:** ai_generated
- **Fix Rate:** 95%

## Root Cause

The import command requires a specific two-part argument format (resource address and ID), but the user provided a single string or malformed input.

## Version Compatibility

| Version | Status | Introduced | Deprecated |
|---------|--------|------------|------------|
| Terraform v1.8.0 | active | — | — |
| Terraform v1.9.0 | active | — | — |
| Terraform v1.10.0 | active | — | — |

## Workarounds

1. **Use the correct two-argument format with a space: `terraform import aws_instance.my_instance i-12345`** (95% success)
   ```
   Use the correct two-argument format with a space: `terraform import aws_instance.my_instance i-12345`
   ```
2. **If using shell variables, ensure they expand to separate arguments: `terraform import aws_instance.my_instance "$INSTANCE_ID"`** (90% success)
   ```
   If using shell variables, ensure they expand to separate arguments: `terraform import aws_instance.my_instance "$INSTANCE_ID"`
   ```

## Dead Ends

- **** — Terraform expects a space separator between the resource address and the ID, not a colon or other delimiter. (80% fail)
- **** — The import command treats the quoted string as a single argument, so it doesn't parse the resource address and ID separately. (90% fail)