XL2000: "Syntax Error in FROM Clause" When Getting External Data

ID: Q214377

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Excel 2000

SYMPTOMS

When you use Microsoft Query to return external data to a worksheet in Microsoft Excel or when you view returned data in Microsoft Query, you may receive the following error message:

Syntax error in FROM clause.

CAUSE

This problem occurs if you attempt to retrieve data from a Microsoft Access or Microsoft Excel database, and the path to the database contains a period (.), for example:

C:\My.Test\Northwind.mdb

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, change the path to the database so that it does not contain any periods, for example:

C:\MyTest\Northwind.mdb C:\My Test\Northwind.mdb

NOTE: You may use a period before the file name extension (.mdb in this case).

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Microsoft products listed at the beginning of this article.

MORE INFORMATION

When the path to the file contains a period, the path is qualified incorrectly by Microsoft Query. As a result, the Structured Query Language (SQL) statement for the data you are retrieving is incorrect, and you receive the error message in the "Symptoms" section.

Additional query words: msquery get external data create new query XL2000

Keywords : kberrmsg kbtool
Version : WINDOWS:2000
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbbug