ACC: Can't Import Excel Files Created by Access

• Microsoft Access versions 2.0, 7.0, 97

SYMPTOMS

Moderate: Requires basic macro, coding, and interoperability skills.

If you try to import a Microsoft Excel file that was created with Microsoft Access version 2.0 into Microsoft Access 7.0 or 97, you may receive one of the following error messages:

   The wizard is unable to access information in the file
   <filename>. Please check that the file exists and is in
   the correct format.

   -or-

   External table isn't in the expected format.

CAUSE

There are several causes for these error messages:

• You do not open the file in Microsoft Excel and save it in the Microsoft Excel format before importing it into Microsoft Access 7.0 or 97.
• While exporting the file from Microsoft Access 97 to a Microsoft Excel format, you click the Save Formatted check box in the Save '<object name>' In dialog box.
• You use the SendObject action or method in Microsoft Access 97 and you select Microsoft Excel as the Output Format.
• You use the OutputTo action or method in Microsoft Access 97 and you select Microsoft Excel as the Output Format.

RESOLUTION

Open the file in Microsoft Excel and save it in the same Microsoft Excel format used in the export.

-or-

Use the TransferSpreadsheet Action or Method to export the table to Excel format.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Access 7.0 and 97. We are researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

1. Open the sample database NWIND.MDB in Microsoft Access 2.0.

2. Click the Tables tab, and then click Order Details.

3. On the File menu, click Export.

4. In the Export dialog box, select Microsoft Excel 5.0 from the list, and then click OK.

5. In the Select Microsoft Access Object dialog box, select the Order Details table from the list, and then click OK.

6. In the Export to File dialog box, type OrderDt.xls in the File Name box, and then click OK.

7. Open the sample database Northwind.mdb in Microsoft Access 7.0 or 97.

8. On the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Import.

9. In the Import dialog box, choose Microsoft Excel from the Files Of Type box, select the OrderDt.xls file, and then click Import. Note that the Import Spreadsheet Wizard displays the error message described in the "Symptoms" section.

REFERENCES

For more information about importing Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, search on "importing data," and then "spreadsheets," using the Microsoft Access 97 Help Index.

Keywords          : IntpOff IsmExl5 kberrmsg kbinterop
Version           : 2.0 7.0 97
Platform          : WINDOWS
Hardware          : x86
Issue type        : kbbug
Solution Type     : kbworkaround