Failure to import

[WalterWitt]

Why do I get this message when I try to add a new xls file to an Arc Project?  This problem is a recent development, intermittent but becoming more consistent,

Regards

Walter

[XanderBakker]

What version is your ArcGIS and what version is the Excel file? What is the content of the XLS file? Is it properly structured to be read as table?

[JayantaPoddar]

Hi Walter,

From your snapshot, I believe you are using ArcMap 9.x or earlier.

(Considering your excel sheet is properly structured, as mentioned by Xander) If you are trying to open an XLSX  (*.xlsx) file, it might come up with some error.

Try saving it in XLS (97-2003) format (*.xls), and then opening it in ArcMap.

Thanks,

Jay

[WalterWitt]

Thanks Jayanta

I will give it a try and let you know how I get on

Cheers

Walter

[KishorGhatage]

1. Check if there is  any special character in the field name and remove it.

2. Use .xls format

3. Try to save the data in .csv or dbf format and then open it in arcMap.

Kishor

[WalterWitt]

Good ideas, mate. That’s the way I am working around it when things get tough, but its not ideal

Regards

Walter

[LoralynClark]

Besides special characters in the field name spaces are a big no-no even on the end of the name. There is also a limit to the number of characters in the field name. Numbers can be used in a field name but not as the first character. Check out http://www.esri.com/news/arcuser/0312/best-practices-when-using-excel-files-with-arcgis.html for more information on using Excel files in ArcGIS.