diff --git a/src/gui_qt/io/asciireader.py b/src/gui_qt/io/asciireader.py
index ea4c980..ea559c2 100644
--- a/src/gui_qt/io/asciireader.py
+++ b/src/gui_qt/io/asciireader.py
@@ -186,6 +186,7 @@ class QAsciiReader(QtWidgets.QDialog, Ui_ascii_reader):
     def apply(self):
         # default row for x is the first row, it will be superseded if an integer number is given.
         x = self.x_lineedit.text()
+        is_valid = True
         if x:
             try:
                 x = int(x)-1
@@ -194,16 +195,35 @@ class QAsciiReader(QtWidgets.QDialog, Ui_ascii_reader):
         else:
             x = None
 
+        if not self.check_column_numbers(x, max(self.reader.width)):
+            _ = QtWidgets.QMessageBox.information(self, 'Improper input',
+                                                  f'Input for x axis is invalid')
+            return False
+
         try:
             y = [int(t)-1 for t in self.y_lineedit.text().split(' ')]
         except ValueError:
             y = None
 
+        if not self.check_column_numbers(y, max(self.reader.width)):
+            _ = QtWidgets.QMessageBox.information(self, 'Improper input',
+                                                  f'Input for y axis is invalid')
+            return False
+
         try:
             y_err = [int(t)-1 for t in self.deltay_lineEdit.text().split(' ')]
         except ValueError:
             y_err = None
 
+        mode = self.buttonGroup.checkedButton().text()
+        if mode != 'Points':
+            y_err = None
+
+        if not self.check_column_numbers(y, max(self.reader.width)):
+            _ = QtWidgets.QMessageBox.information(self, 'Improper input',
+                                                  f'Input for y_err axis is invalid')
+            return False
+
         col_header = None
         if self.column_checkBox.isChecked():
             col_header = []
@@ -221,15 +241,16 @@ class QAsciiReader(QtWidgets.QDialog, Ui_ascii_reader):
                 x=x,
                 y=y,
                 yerr=y_err,
-                mode=self.buttonGroup.checkedButton().text(),
+                mode=mode,
                 col_names=col_header,
                 num_value=self.get_numerical_value(),
             )
             self.data_read.emit(ret_dic)
 
-        except ImportError as e:
+        except Exception as e:
             _ = QtWidgets.QMessageBox.information(self, 'Reading failed',
-                                                  f'Import data failed with {e.args}')
+                                                  f'Import data failed with\n {e.args[0]}')
+            return False
 
         return True
 
@@ -284,7 +305,7 @@ class QAsciiReader(QtWidgets.QDialog, Ui_ascii_reader):
         else:
             self.label_8.setText(fname)
 
-    def get_numerical_value(self):
+    def get_numerical_value(self) -> float:
         val = 0
         if self.re_button.isChecked() and self._matches:
             m = self._matches[self.re_match_index.value()-1]
@@ -295,3 +316,18 @@ class QAsciiReader(QtWidgets.QDialog, Ui_ascii_reader):
             val = float(self.custom_input.text())
 
         return val
+
+    def check_column_numbers(self, values: int | list[int] | None, num_column: int) -> bool:
+        is_valid = False
+        if values is None:
+            is_valid = True
+        elif isinstance(values, int):
+            is_valid = values < num_column
+        elif isinstance(values, list):
+            try:
+                is_valid = all(v < num_column for v in values)
+            except TypeError:
+                is_valid = False
+
+        return is_valid
+