Can't import Excel Data to a Table

[John S. Ford, MD]

I'm working with Access 97 and I want to import an Excel 97 spreadsheet to a
database (converting it to a table).

From Access, I get into the import dialogue box using File->Get External
Data->Import. But when I browse for my Excel file, the "Files of Type" box
doesn't offer Excel files as an option. If I manually type in the name of
the file (with the .xls ending) I get a message box stating "Unrecognized
database format".

I reinstalled Access 97 using every possible option in the setup dialogue
including Excel in the Data Access option.

Any idea why I can't get my installation of Access 97 to read Excel files?

John

 

[Douglas J. Steele]

This shounds like the problem discussed in the following KB articles:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=155666
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=171955

Look for the file msexcl35.dll on your hard drive (it should be in the
System folder) and use regsvr32.exe to re-register it.

If there are other file types missing from your list, do the same for
msxbse35.dll, mspdox35.dll and mstext35.dll

 

[PC Datasheet]

John,

You can not import a spreadsheet into a database; there is no spreadsheet
object in a database! That's why the Files Of Type doesn't offer Excel files
as an option. You have three options to get your Excel data into Access; the
first two require the Excel data to be in a table layout while the third
does not.
1. TransferSpreadsheet function (Look in Help on how to use)
2. Use File - Get External Link - Link to link to the spreadsheet. This
creates a linked table in your database and then you can use one or more
queries to work with the data
3. Programatically import cell by cell

As you can see by by SIG, I am in business to provide customers with help in
Access. If you need outside help or need some part of your database
developed for you, I can provide that for you.

 

['69 Camaro]

Hi, PC Datasheet.

You can not import a spreadsheet into a database

The rest of us often use the Import Spreadsheet Wizard to easily and quickly
import a spreadsheet into Access as a new table or to append records to an
existing table. It works great.

Since it sounds as if you've never heard of this handy tool, please see the
"Import Spreadsheet Wizard" topic in Access 97 Help for an explanation (and
even automated "Show me" steps to help walk you through it). You may also
want to purchase a book on Access for a reasonable price these days for a
handy reference on how to develop Access applications. You'll find
explanations of this Wizard and many other built-in Access Wizards that make
Access a RAD tool, even for non-programmers.

That's why the Files Of Type doesn't offer Excel files
as an option.

A properly configured PC with Access 97 installed has Excel files listed in
the "Files Of Type" combo box. If your PC doesn't have the correct ISAM
drivers installed, then I suggest following Doug Steele's suggestions for
fixing this deficiency on your PC. And if you haven't already, I'd suggest
downloading and intalling Microsoft Office 97 SR-1 and SR-2 on your
computer, as well as the latest patches for it and the latest service pack
for Jet 3.5, to bring it up to date with Microsoft's recommendations.

As you can see by by SIG, I am in business to provide customers with help in
Access.

Anything I write about this statement is going to sound pejorative, so I'll
just suggest that you study the Access Help topics some more, perhaps pick
up a good book on the subject and study that, too, and design and build more
Access database applications that do things you've never done before, just
to expand your skills and knowledge.

If you need outside help or need some part of your database
developed for you, I can provide that for you.

Dr. John has been designing and building a solid multiuser database
application for the last several months, and it sounds like it's coming
along quite nicely. He may even have some helpful tips for you, too.

HTH.

Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips.

(Please remove ZERO_SPAM from my reply E-mail address, so that a message
will be forwarded to me.)

 

[John S. Ford, MD]

Thanks Doug,

Worked perfectly! Just don't know how I managed to "unregister" msxexl.dll
in the first place.

John