Knowledge Base

XL7: Microsoft Access Only Valid External Data for Data Map

PSS ID Number: 142977

Article Last Modified on 10/22/2000


The information in this article applies to:


This article was previously published under Q142977

SYMPTOMS

In Microsoft Excel, when you attempt to insert external data into a data map, if you use a database file type other than Microsoft Access, you receive the following error message:
An error occurred while opening the database file.

CAUSE

This behavior is by design of Microsoft Excel. That is, Data Map was designed to only recognize Access tables for external data.

MORE INFORMATION

When you click the External Data command on the Insert menu (available only while a map is active), Microsoft Excel displays an Open Database dialog box. In this dialog box, in the Files Of Type box, you are able to select the All Files option. This option is misleading because an Access table is the only valid external data that can be inserted into a map.

REFERENCES

For more information about using Data Map, click Answer Wizard on the Help menu, and type:

Tell me about Data Map


Additional query words: mapping

Keywords: KB142977
Technology: kbExcel95 kbExcel95Search kbExcelSearch kbExcelWinSearch