I cannot import data to a custom table using excel/csv
see screenshot of error message below

i have a community licence and am following the "Get Started with Dataverse" Learning path.
In unit 3 of Load/export data and create data views in Dataverse module - https://docs.microsoft.com/en-gb/learn/modules/load-export-data-create-data-views/3-load
3. Import the data into an entity.
- Sign in to Power Apps.
- On the left pane, expand Data and then select Entities.
- Select the entity that you want to import data into.
- Select the ellipsis (...) or menu at the top. Select Get data and then select Get data from Excel.
- On the Import data screen, choose whether to import data from an Excel or a CSV file.
- Select Upload.
Is there something else required for my set up?
I was also not able to export the custom table (which is newly created so has no data) for use a template.
any help or explanation would be greatly appreciated.
...text version of the error message for upload is below ...

The import service is not available: Connection set initialization failed for project DMImport_2020_11_30T16_19_15_961Z. Error: Service principal couldn't be written
Import data
The import service is not available