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How do I import from Excel?

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    How do I import from Excel?

    I have tried creating operations to import data from Excel and I can't seem to get past the error about an invalid field name even though I've changed names in both the import data and the database so they match!!

    I'm trying to import several Excel spread sheets into a new empty database to list names, phone numbers etc. for a directory.

    Please help!

    #2
    Re: How do I import from Excel?

    What field names are you using in the spreadsheet, what are your table field names?
    There can be only one.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: How do I import from Excel?

      Barb,
      I have had problems when field names are too long, have spaces in them, or underscores. I have noticed a tendancy for long names to be chopped off so two fields with the names CurrentStreetNumber1 and CurrentStreetNumber2 might both be seen as CurrentStreetNum, and the system will have two fields with the same name that draws an error.
      Mike W
      __________________________
      "I rebel in at least small things to express to the world that I have not completely surrendered"

      Comment


        #4
        Re: How do I import from Excel?

        Also,

        How are you trying to import the excel files. Making the Excel files into DBF's or Excel files directly?

        Ed

        Comment


          #5
          Re: How do I import from Excel?

          Hi Barb,

          It would also make it easier to offer assistance if you could provide us with a sample excel sheet that you are using to import from, attach it to this thread. Then let us know what field(s) you are having trouble with ... and as others have stated .... the steps you are taking to do the import and the error you receive.

          This way we can duplicate your process and let you know what possible resolutions are available.

          Good luck
          Cheryl
          #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
          http://pagecrazy.com/

          Comment


            #6
            Re: How do I import from Excel?

            Mike mentioned the problem of column widths in Excel. If too short they can truncate both the field name and the data itself that is transferred. I have a routine in the code archive for importing Excel sheets that automatically expands column widths before the import is done. You might give that a try.

            Bill.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: How do I import from Excel?

              I just did it again to see what I might have missed and wrote down everything. It's long so please bear with me....

              First I created a database or table called employees and made the field names exactly the same as the ones in the Excel spreadsheets, after not being able to import.

              Then I hit the "operations" tab and "New" and highlighted "Import records" with the employee database/table listed to the right. Then I clicked "Create using Genie", I clicked ADO/ODBC Data source (ADO,Access, Excel, etc.) & clicked OK.

              On the ADO Import Genie screen under "connections type" I put Excel spreadsheet. the second line listed Excel & a lookup for it, Icliccked on the first of the four spreadsheets I need to incorporate into the new employees directory.

              I skipped user name & password, don't apply. On the "populate from SQL or Table" I put table I chose table.

              Under source table I chose Sheet $1 other (table) (Excel spreadsheet name) .

              Then the Field's catagory &pull down box coems up & Bit shows a name which is in the first field under the title Name but not the field name....then F2, F3, department name,F5 then their location F8. I pulled over the ones that made sence and left the f ones. "Resulting table naame is again the employees DBF/Table. "Size to fit is checked and I close and the save comes up & I use the spreadsheets name. and OK.

              When it's back to the control screen I highlight the icon in operations and right click and click "Run" and the Should it be Overwritten message comes up and I click OK since there's nothing in the employees database/table.

              Then another message coomes up and says" The ADO drives returned the following error , "Could not determine fields returned by query select[names in the fileds I checked.]
              Following error was reported by ADO [Microsoft}[ODBC Excel drives} too few parametiers. Expected 4. I redid it with all teh fields checked even teh f2s stc, and still got the same message.

              I think I've attached the spread sheet, at least I hope I have!

              And thank you all for your help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

              Comment


                #8
                Re: How do I import from Excel?

                What version of Excel are you using. Try saving it as a Worksheet 4.0

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: How do I import from Excel?

                  I changed the Excel to 4 and then did all the above.....

                  I tried to attach the spreadsheet but Alpha doesn't like .xls files what can I change it to ?

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: How do I import from Excel?

                    Zipping the file(s) always works....
                    Bill Griffin
                    Parkell, Inc

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: How do I import from Excel?

                      I clicked ADO/ODBC Data source (ADO,Access, Excel, etc.) & clicked OK.
                      Try the first option instead: ASCII files

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: How do I import from Excel?

                        Hi Barb,

                        Did you try saving the excel spreadsheet as a .dbf file, then go to the table/set tab of the control panel, right click, and add table.
                        Cheryl
                        #1 Designs By Pagecrazy
                        http://pagecrazy.com/

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: How do I import from Excel?

                          Barb,

                          I didn't see you make any reply to what Mike W. said and hope you have not passed over his message. I find these problems to be the ones that cause the most headaches for me.

                          Originally posted by Mike Wilson View Post
                          I have had problems when field names are too long, have spaces in them, or underscores. I have noticed a tendancy for long names to be chopped off so two fields with the names CurrentStreetNumber1 and CurrentStreetNumber2 might both be seen as CurrentStreetNum, and the system will have two fields with the same name that draws an error.

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: How do I import from Excel?

                            I do this every day.
                            Suggest you save the Excel file as a CSV, this get over the limit of 65536 k(ish) rows in Excel 4. I never use a straight Excel 4 import now as I'm working with HUGE spreadsheets.
                            Try ignoring the Field Names check box.
                            A bit trial and error, but if you select comma delimeted, so text qualifier, it should load OK.
                            Give me a sample and I'll try and run it for ya.

                            Ted
                            See our Hybrid Option here;
                            https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


                            Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
                            You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: How do I import from Excel?

                              This is to thank Stan Mathews for helping me find out what I did wrong.

                              My mistake was in the selected tables...I had chosen Sheet$(Then the excel file name) the last choice, instead of Sheet$1 (System) which is the first choice.

                              After that it was a beautiful thing!

                              I also made a new table for the other 3 Excel spreadsheets and then did table to table copy of files, until all the spreadsheets were now in one database.

                              I still have problems with the reports but I'm working on it!

                              But does anyone know how to make it stop printing a blank page after every page?????

                              Comment

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