XL7: Microsoft Access Only Valid External Data for Data Map

The information in this article applies to:

• Microsoft Excel for Windows 95, version 7.0

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you attempt to insert external data into a data map, if you use a database file type other than Microsoft Access, you receive the following error message:

   An error occurred while opening the database file.

CAUSE

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel. That is, Data Map was designed to only recognize Access tables for external data.

MORE INFORMATION

When you click the External Data command on the Insert menu (available only while a map is active), Microsoft Excel displays an Open Database dialog box. In this dialog box, in the Files Of Type box, you are able to select the All Files option. This option is misleading because an Access table is the only valid external data that can be inserted into a map.

REFERENCES

For more information about using Data Map, click Answer Wizard on the Help menu, and type:

   Tell me about Data Map