ACC: Cannot Import Excel Files Created by Access

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This article was previously published under Q142473

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

SYMPTOMS

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.

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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.

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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.

-or-

Open the spreadsheet or workbook in Excel, recalculate it, and then save it in the same or a newer format.

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STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Access 7.0 and 97. This problem no longer occurs in Microsoft Access 2000.

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MORE INFORMATION

Steps to Reproduce Problem

Open the sample database NWIND.MDB in Microsoft Access 2.0.
Click the Tables tab, and then click Order Details.
On the File menu, click Export.
In the Export dialog box, select Microsoft Excel 5.0 from the list, and then click OK.
In the Select Microsoft Access Object dialog box, select the Order Details table from the list, and then click OK.
In the Export to File dialog box, type OrderDt.xls in the File Name box, and then click OK.
Open the sample database Northwind.mdb in Microsoft Access 7.0 or 97.
On the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Import.
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.

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REFERENCES

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

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APPLIES TO

Microsoft Access 2.0 Standard Edition
Microsoft Access 95 Standard Edition
Microsoft Access 97 Standard Edition

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kbbug kberrmsg kbinterop KB142473

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Retired KB Content Disclaimer

This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.

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