When linking to a file in excel (data downloaded form our mainframe), and all fields formatted "General", all data is visible in Access unless we manually add a new record to the Excel file.

In one of the fields, which is numeric-looking, like 324563, it comes across into Access as #Num and all the other records (from mainframe) look like they are supposed to look.

Tried clearing all Excel formatting and resetting to General format, nada. Clearing all, resetting to text format, nada.

I'm on Excel and Acess 2003.

Hello Rick,
Have you considered importing the Excel file into a new Table instead? I am not a big fan of linking Excel files to Access.
Can you provide some additional info on your purpose with linking the Excel file versus importing to a new table?
Thanks.

-RC

I agree, importing is best over linking BUT this spreadsheet is only used by 1 employee who insists on using Excel. I have suggested we import, set up some user-friendly forms/reports/etc but he refuses to use Access.

What I recommend then, is to import the spreadsheet into a temp Table:
a) Validate data types for ALL fields in your new Table
b) Export your Table to a new Excel file
c) Link the new Excel file to Access

Note: If this is a recurring process from your mainframe to Access, then I would recommend performing batch updating/syncing of spreadsheet data into Access tables from your recurring file.

-RC

I'll give that a try.

However, we're still on Excel/Access 2003 and I've seen exports to Excel from Access actually change a number field. This was fixed in the 2007 export but I have to work with what I've got.

I'll close this as solved and try the fix. If it doesn't work it's not fair to leave this open.

Thanks.

No problem. Good luck.
Thanks.

-RC