diff --git a/akm_tools/akm_validator.py b/akm_tools/akm_validator.py
index 5dac401..65f60ab 100644
--- a/akm_tools/akm_validator.py
+++ b/akm_tools/akm_validator.py
@@ -22,15 +22,15 @@ def create_and_combine_json_from_a_folder(dir_path):
     return list_to_return
 
 
-def parse_and_validate_data(model_folder, schema, extended_schema_dir, overlays):
+def parse_and_validate_data(model_folder, schema, extended_schema_dir, extended_data_dir,raise_errors):
     model_data_list = create_and_combine_json_from_a_folder(model_folder)
-    overlay_data_list = create_and_combine_json_from_a_folder(overlays)
-    all_data = model_data_list + overlay_data_list
+    extended_data_list = create_and_combine_json_from_a_folder(extended_data_dir)
+    all_data = model_data_list + extended_data_list
     validator_object = AKMDataValidator(schema=schema)
     validated_model_data = validator_object.validate_data_instances(all_data, extended_schema_dir=extended_schema_dir)
     validated_model_data = validator_object.validate_contexts(all_data=validated_model_data)  ## passing valid instances
-    validator_object.log_errors()
-
+    validator_object.log_errors(raise_errors)
+    
     return validated_model_data
 
 
@@ -94,6 +94,14 @@ def main():
         choices=export_functions.keys(),
         help="Specifies the export format",
     )
+
+    ## export options
+    parser.add_argument(        
+        "--silent_mode",
+        action="store_true",
+        help="log but dont throw errors",
+        default=False
+    )
     parser.add_argument("-f", "--export_file_path", type=str, help="Path for export file")
     args = parser.parse_args()
 
@@ -103,7 +111,11 @@ def main():
     with open(args.schema, "r") as f:
         schema = json.load(f)
     validated_model_data = parse_and_validate_data(
-        args.model_data_folder, schema, args.extended_schema_dir, args.extended_data_dir
+        model_folder=args.model_data_folder, 
+        schema=schema, 
+        extended_schema_dir=args.extended_schema_dir, 
+        extended_data_dir=args.extended_data_dir,
+        raise_errors=not(args.silent_mode)
     )
 
     if args.export_format:
diff --git a/akm_tools/validation/custom_exceptions.py b/akm_tools/validation/custom_exceptions.py
index 22dfb22..9545c66 100644
--- a/akm_tools/validation/custom_exceptions.py
+++ b/akm_tools/validation/custom_exceptions.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ def __init__(self, instances: List[Dict]):
 class BaseInstanceOverwiteException(Exception):
     def __init__(self, base_instance, extended_instance):
         err_msg = (
-            f"The extended instace :\n{extended_instance}\nis overwriting properties of base instance\n{base_instance}\n"
+            f"The extended instance :\n{extended_instance}\nis overwriting properties of base instance\n{base_instance}\n"
         )
         super().__init__(err_msg)
         self.message = err_msg
diff --git a/akm_tools/validation/validator.py b/akm_tools/validation/validator.py
index e0c1adc..65a00d6 100644
--- a/akm_tools/validation/validator.py
+++ b/akm_tools/validation/validator.py
@@ -50,9 +50,12 @@ def _configure_data_instance_validators(self):
         ]
         return data_instance_validator_objects
 
-    def log_errors(self):
+    def log_errors(self,raise_errors):
         for error_msg in self.validation_errors:
             logging.error(error_msg)
+        if len (self.validation_errors)>0:
+            if raise_errors:
+                raise Exception('There were errors during validaton, please check the log file')
 
     def validate_contexts(self, all_data: List[Dict]):
         print("Validating Data Contexts")
diff --git a/tests/test_custom_exceptions.py b/tests/test_custom_exceptions.py
index 72b9388..81111e0 100644
--- a/tests/test_custom_exceptions.py
+++ b/tests/test_custom_exceptions.py
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ def test_BaseInstanceOverwiteException():
         raise BaseInstanceOverwiteException(base_instance, extended_instance)
     assert (
         str(excinfo.value)
-        == f"The extended instace :\n{extended_instance}\nis overwriting properties of base instance\n{base_instance}\n"
+        == f"The extended instance :\n{extended_instance}\nis overwriting properties of base instance\n{base_instance}\n"
     )