ACC: "External Table Isn't in Expected Format" Error Message (135374)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Access for Windows 95 7.0
- Microsoft Access 97
This article was previously published under Q135374 Novice: Requires knowledge of the user interface on single-user computers.
SYMPTOMS
When you try to import a delimited text file, you may receive the following
error message:
External table isn't in expected format.
No data is imported, nor is an Import Errors table created.
CAUSE
The first record in the delimited text file contains data in a format that
Microsoft Access cannot recognize. For example, the record contains an
incorrect field separator or is missing a field delimiter.
Microsoft Access must be able to import the first record of data correctly
before continuing to import the rest of the file. If the first record has
any data format problems, Microsoft Access stops the import process.
However, if the second or a subsequent record has unrecognizable data,
Microsoft Access continues importing and creates an Import Errors table
that includes error descriptions of the data problem.
RESOLUTION
Open the file in any text editor, such as WordPad, and change the data to a
properly delimited format.
REFERENCES
For more information about importing delimited text files, search the Help
Index for "importing data," or ask the Microsoft Access 97 Office
Assistant.
Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 10/20/2003 |
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Keywords: | kb3rdparty kberrmsg kbprb KB135374 |
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