PRA: Numeric Column Names Ignored in Spreadsheet Import
PSS ID Number: Q113917
Article last modified on 07-30-1994

1.00 1.10

WINDOWS


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The information in this article applies to:

 - Microsoft Access versions 1.0 and 1.1
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you import a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet using the First Row Contains
Field Names option, and the spreadsheet's first row contains numeric
values, Microsoft Access ignores the values in the first row. Instead,
sequential values starting with 1 are substituted for the imported values.

RESOLUTION
==========

Before you import the spreadsheet, place an apostrophe (') in front of each
number in the first row of the spreadsheet. This causes Microsoft Excel to
treat the value as a text string instead of a number.

NOTE: The apostrophes will not appear in the spreadsheet or in Microsoft
Access.

STATUS
======

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Access versions
1.0 and 1.1. This problem no longer occurs in Microsoft Access version 2.0.

MORE INFORMATION
================

Steps to Reproduce Problem
--------------------------

1. Create a spreadsheet in Microsoft Excel with the following data:

              Col 1  Col 2  Col 3
             ---------------------
      Row 1: |5000 | 6000 | 7000 |
              -------------------
      Row 2: | 201 |  202 |  203 |
              -------------------
      Row 3: | 301 |  302 |  303 |
             ---------------------

   Save the spreadsheet as TEST.XLS.

2. Start Microsoft Access and open any database.

3. From the File menu, choose Import.

4. In the Data Source box, select Microsoft Excel, and then choose OK.

5. In the File Name box, select TEST.XLS. Choose Import.

6. In the Import Spreadsheet Options dialog box, select the First Row
   Contains Field Names check box. Choose OK.

7. The spreadsheet will be imported. In the message box stating that
   2 records were processed, choose OK.

8. Choose Close.

9. Open the new Test table in Datasheet view. Note that the field
   headings are 1, 2, and 3, rather than 5000, 6000, and 7000.

Additional reference words: 1.00 1.10 Importing
KBCategory:
KBSubcategory: DcmNwd

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Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1994.
