ACC: "External Table Isn't in Expected Format" Error Message
ID: Q135374
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The information in this article applies to:
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Microsoft Access versions 7.0, 97
SYMPTOMS
Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.
When you try to import a delimited text file, you may receive the following
error message:
External table isn't in expected format.
No data is imported, nor is an Import Errors table created.
CAUSE
The first record in the delimited text file contains data in a format that
Microsoft Access cannot recognize. For example, the record contains an
incorrect field separator or is missing a field delimiter.
Microsoft Access must be able to import the first record of data correctly
before continuing to import the rest of the file. If the first record has
any data format problems, Microsoft Access stops the import process.
However, if the second or a subsequent record has unrecognizable data,
Microsoft Access continues importing and creates an Import Errors table
that includes error descriptions of the data problem.
RESOLUTION
Open the file in any text editor, such as WordPad, and change the data to a
properly delimited format.
MORE INFORMATION
Steps to Reproduce Behavior
- Start WordPad and type the following values into a new document:
"Davolio"~"Nancy"
"King","Robert"
"Suyama","Michael"
- Save the file as a text document named Test.txt, and then close WordPad.
- Start Microsoft Access and create a new database called Db1.mdb.
- Create the following new macro:
Macro Name Action
-------------------------------------
Macro1 TransferText
Macro1 Actions
-------------------------------------
TransferText
Transfer Type: Import Delimited
Table Name: Test1
File Name: <full path to Test.txt>
Has Field Names: No
- Close and save the Macro1 macro.
- From the Database window, run the Macro1 macro. Note that you receive
the following error message:
External table isn't in expected format
REFERENCES
For more information about importing delimited text files, search the Help
Index for "importing data," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office
Assistant.
Keywords : kb3rdparty kberrmsg IsmTxtd
Version : 7.0 97
Platform : WINDOWS
Issue type : kbprb