Data types when using Link Table from Excel

[welshwebwizard]

Hi there!

I'm attempting to import data from an excel spreadsheet into Access using "Get External Data ---> Link Table". One specific column has a mixture of Numeric and Text data e.g. 2345, N/A, 876345, N/A, N/A, 44234

My problem is that when I import the data the linked table believes that the specific field is Text and not numeric. This is particularly useless to me as the database performs mathematical calculations on thos fields e.g. SUM etc.

How to I force Access to recognise that field as Numeric data?

Thanks!

 

[jfgambit]

In the Excel Sheet sort that colum in descending order before you try to link it. I have always found this to be the simplest solution. Access will see the "N/A" in the first column and set it to a text field.

HTH