trouble importing an .xls file

[Liz Logan]

I created a table by importing a version 4 Excel spreadsheet. After adding more to that file, I attempted to import again. No matter whether I select to allow dulicates, or to not import duplicates, from teh same format file I just used I get this error:

Variable append.m_exp1 references a non-existent field @120701-4_TEMP_TABLE->DATE

An error occured while importing. Please view the trace window for details.

There are no details in teh trace window and none appear if I have it open while attempting the import again

[French]

RE: trouble importing an .xls file

How about trying an alternative -- save your data from Excel in .dbf format or in ASCII. Then have Alpha load that.

[Liz Logan]

RE: trouble importing an .xls file

That seems to work, but I don't awant to add an extra step. This is an application for a client using a CE device. They already have to open the file to save as Excel 3-4 and converting is one more thing for them to break - plus I'm trying to woo them away from Access to Alpha - and it's suupposed to be easier for them to leave... I've tried in a few other databases and it seems to be something in the way they name their files by date (120701-4) Haven't been able to recreate the trouble using a character filename.

[Robert Adler]

RE: trouble importing an .xls file

Liz:

Open the import operation in design mode. Then move the curser down the field list. When you reach the offending field the you will be stopped by A4. You can then select the appropriate field to import.

I hope this helps.


bob adler

[Tom Scholis]

RE: trouble importing an .xls file

I'm wondering if you changed the column format in Excel or
if you should?

[rtbtat]

RE: trouble importing an .xls file

Hello Liz:

I apologize in advance because I didn't read the nature of your problem very carefully, just breezed through it quickly to get the gist of what's happening. In addition, I rarely, if ever, work with Excel, so let me throw in that caution before I add my two cents.

Liz, many people don't realize there is no need to import/export data files to and from Excel / Alpha Five. Therefore, you can eliminate that series of steps which often results in creating confusion for many people who cannot figure out the import/export procedures.

Instead of going through the import/export process, you can instead choose to:

[A] If your data file is in Excel, just save it as a DBF file, Alpha Five can then read the file directly without the need for any import process.

[B] If your data file is in Alpha Five and you need it in Excel, just open the A5 data file while you are working in Excel because Excel can read dbf files directly.

Don't know if the above solves your problem for a seamless, easy import/export of data to and from Excel, but I think both A & B above are far better options than a procedure that is obviously causing you problems. As far as I'm concerned, it cannot get any easier.

Good Luck,
Robert

[Stan Mathews]

RE: trouble importing an .xls file

You are correct in that Alpha has a distaste for file, and field names, that begin with a number.

[Liz Logan]

RE: trouble importing an .xls file

Thanks for all the imput. No I didn't change the .xls file structure at all, only added content. converting to a dbf would still need to be appended, because of the application.

Basically, I'm using an IPAQ CD device (actually 3 of them) for folks to register vehicles for sale at an auto auction. They are entering approxiamately 17 fields of information and they are the first 17 fields of a 45 field database. Currently, that just imports directly into Access. However, Access has no way to kick out duplicates without doing an import through a query and I'd like to stay away form Microsoft as much as possible anyhow.

The problem is, the vehicles come in throughout the week, so without making a NEW spreadsheet for each trip out, there needs to be a way to ipmort without duplicates. A DBF file won't have all the fields and using Access requires tehm to make a new separate sheet for each trip to the parking lot.

I think if I have them start the file name with a character instead of a number and save in Excel 4 format, we'll be OK.

Any idea if and when Alpha will make it possible to iport a newer version Excel directly?

[John Hertzler]

RE: trouble importing an .xls file

As everyone has pointed out, while there are a number of workarounds for most of the Microsoft product line with read and writes, direct import and export of current versions would be oh so nice!

And if Alpha were able to use native Access files �. Be still my heart! I�m not sure what legal and technical issues any of this would pose, but its almost Christmas and one can dream, even though Bill Gates would surely be the Grinch to steal that dream.

[French]

RE: trouble importing an .xls file

Microsoft hasn't always provided smooth access to it's own previous file formats in any given product line (speculation on reasons why may be filled in by each reader).

Microsoft doesn't publish their file format specifications to make access by others easy (wouldn't that be a nice addition to the proposed settlement between Microsoft and the DOJ).

Alpha Software would have to provide direct import/export of every Excel and Access file format up through XP to meet the needs of all their users.

Alpha Five is already a bit behind schedule with A5 v5, and it seems as if the release of A4 v7 is a bit more of a distraction than anticipated.

Let's get A5 v5 stable and out the door, hope the state AG's hold Microsoft's feet to the fire to get some meaningful reform, and put this on the list for A5 v6 or v5.5.

It sounds like this specific problem may simply be a case of running afoul of the xBase naming conventions for fields.