column format changes when linking from Excel

[HuffnPuff]

I have an excel spreadsheet with a column that is formatted to text. Some of the cells are numbers and others are alpha/number. When I link this to Access only part of the column comes in correctly. The rest of the cells say #Num! and when I look at the design it says it is set to Number instead of text. I do not get any errors when linking. I am not sure how to correct - any help would be appreciated. Thanks so much!

BTW - I am using Office 2003

 

[HuffnPuff]

Also - all cells are filled - none are blank in this column. Thanks!

 

[Kiwiman]

Howzit

When you link excel to access, access makes a guess as to the data type (I assume by the first data row) and everything in that column will be assigned that data type. So even though you may have the column formatted to text if it looks like a number to access then a number data type access will assign. You do not get a choice as to the data type (as far as I know anyway).

• You can try reordering your excel file so that the first data row is showing all alpha (where applicable) and then relinking the excel file
• You may also want to consider importing the spreadsheet into access
• Create a csv file and import this into access