How to Import Microsoft Excel File Into Microsoft Access (141228)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 95
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 5.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 4.0c
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 3.0a
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 2.10d
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 2.1
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 2.01
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows 2.0
  • Microsoft Excel for Windows NT 5.0
  • Microsoft Access 2.0
  • Microsoft Access for Windows 95 7.0
This article was previously published under Q141228

SUMMARY

This article explains how to import a Microsoft Excel file into Microsoft Access version 2.0 or 7.0. Microsoft Access can import files from Microsoft Excel version 2.0 through version 7.0. However, Microsoft Access cannot import Microsoft Excel 4.0 workbooks (.xlw). This article assumes that the Microsoft Excel file is using standard database formatting. That is: 

   - The columns in the list are the fields in the database.
   - The column labels in the list are the field names in the database.
   - Each row in the list is a record in the database.

MORE INFORMATION

To import a Microsoft Excel file in Microsoft Access 2.0

  1. Save the file in Microsoft Excel using standard database formatting listed above. Close the file.
  2. Start Microsoft Access 2.0 and open the database you want to import the Microsoft Excel information into.
  3. On the File menu, click Import. From the Import dialog box, choose the appropriate version of Microsoft Excel that you are importing and click the OK button. Microsoft Excel 7.0 files are not on this list. If you are importing a version 7.0 file, choose the Microsoft Excel 5.0 option.
At this point options such as whether to append to an existing table or create a new table may be selected.

To import a Microsoft Excel file in Microsoft Access 7.0

  1. Save the file in Microsoft Excel using standard database formatting listed above. Close the file.
  2. Start Microsoft Access 7.0 and open the database you want to import the Microsoft Excel information into.
  3. On the File menu, click Get External Data and then click Import.
  4. From the import dialog box, choose Microsoft Excel (*.xls) for the Files Of Type option.

    This will display only the Microsoft Excel files.
  5. Find the desired file and click the Import button.
The Import Spreadsheet Wizard appears and allows you to choose options specific to the file.

REFERENCES

For more information about Import Microsoft Excel spreadsheets into Microsoft Access, choose the Search button in Microsoft Access Help and type: 

   Import
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:8/17/2005
Keywords:KB141228
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