I can not import any Excel Spreadsheet!

[ChrisG]

I can not import any Excel Spreadsheet. I select File/Get External
Data/Import, pick the spreadsheet and click Import. I get the following
message:

"The wizard is unable to access information in the file
'c:\path\spreadsheet.xls'. Please check that the file exists and is in the
correct format."

I can import CSV formats but not xls. I made sure SP3 was loaded and all
available patches.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

The error message implies that the file is not there/not named as you've
indicated.

Have you tried creating another Excel file and importing that?

--
Regards

Jeff Boyce
www.InformationFutures.net

Microsoft Office/Access MVP


Microsoft IT Academy Program Mentor
http://microsoftitacademy.com/

 

[Dreiding]

I’m having the same problem. I’ve created an excel file from scratch and it
imports without any issues. I’ve also taken a small subset of my problem
worksheet, saved it into a new workbook and it also imported. I copied my
problem worksheet to a new workbook, accepted the 255 character truncation –
this does not work! I tried changing cell formats column heading, and
deleting cell data but the problem persists. I’m still working to understand
what’s causing this.

Does anyone have any additional insights? If you have the cure – that’s
great! Let me know. If not, please let me know what was tried so I don’t
waste time going down the wrong path.

Thanks,
- Pat

 

[Jeanette Cunningham]

Pat,
there are many issues to deal with when you have a problem spreadsheet.
Please explain, with samples of the data, about the subset that imported OK,
and the columns and rows that won't import.

Are you importing to a new table or existing table?
Do some of the spreadsheet columns have mixed data types - that is numbers
and text in the same column?
Does it have any merged cells?
Have you tried the Used Range method? - put the mouse in cell A1, go Ctl +
Shift + End
This shows all the cells that will get imported.
If there are rows and columns selected in the Used Range that don't have any
data, delete these rows and columns.
Have you tried removing cell formatting such as borders, text colours and
cell shading.


Jeanette Cunningham -- Melbourne Victoria Australia

 

[Java]

"The wizard is unable to access information in the file ' '. Please check
that the file exists and is in the correct format."

I had the exact same problem with an excel file that was sent to me. I
could not link it or import it in MS Access. So I opened a new excel &
copied the old spreadsheet to the new one & saved it. So I was able to link
the new excel. That worked but I still don't understand what the problem
was.

 

[Jeanette Cunningham]

Java,
in excel you can open some other file types such as .dbf and .txt and
others.
They can get saved with the .xls extension without being converted to a
spreadsheet.
If you get a .xls file like the above, you will not be able to import or
link it to Access.


Jeanette Cunningham -- Melbourne Victoria Australia

 

[Big Mac]

I don't have the answer just a comment.
I have 2 pcs, 1 Windows 2000 and 1 XP, both with Office 2003.
Couldn't import or link on the XP machine (got the same message as you) but
had no trouble with the Windows 2000 machine with the same access and excel
files.
I would like to know the answer to this one