Error Inputting .xls files

Hi Community,

I'm having some trouble reading .xls files. I have about 4 files with the similar naming conventions like attached (1_XLSDocument, 2_XLSDocument..and so on)

I put the input tool on my workflow > changed the file format to Microsoft Excel 1997-2003 (*.xls) > checked "first row contains data" > connected my first file. I get the below error. Ideally, I'd like for the first document to connect successfully, then change the connection to pull the rest of the 3 files in the directly (*_XLSDocument)

My Alteryx specs:

Alteryx Admin Designer

Version: 2021.3.3.63061

Running Non-Elevated

1_XLSDocument.zip

Datasets

Input

Custom Tools

Common Use Cases

Batch Macro

Text Mining

Accepted answers

All comments

Luke_C

Hi @mystasz

Take a look at this thread. The last message might be helpful:

"it seems that this error occurs in cases where although the file extension is xls, the file is essentially a text file and hence the file should be imported as a csv file i.e. in the input tool configuration, select the file format as CSV instead of XLS and selecting the delimiter as "tab" i.e. "\t". Also, select, "treat errors as warnings". This resolved the issue for me."

https://community.alteryx.com/t5/Alteryx-Designer-Discussions/Cannot-import-XLS-97-2003-files-quot-External-table-is-not-in/td-p/441033

mystasz

Unfortunately that did not work for me . Tried checking and unchecking "first row contains field names". Both with the same error below.

Seems like I have to configure the input before connecting the file or else I can't get past the error.

Luke_C

Are you able to share an example xls file with sanitized data so we can reproduce the error?

mystasz

I was able to attach it now as a zip, let me know if you're able to open.

Luke_C

I think it's further proof that it's truly a CSV - the community has some restrictions on what type of files can be uploaded. Maybe try updating the file to have a .csv extension

mystasz

Yeah...so these file types will come to me biweekly and changing them manually before inputting into Alteryx will be hell. See if you're able to open the attached zip. It contains 2 sample .xls docs.

xls files.zip

Luke_C

Hi @mystasz

Of course, was just thinking of ways to get it uploaded here. What version of Alteryx are you on? I was able to get them set-up with no issues on 2021.3

mystasz

I'm also on version: 2021.3.......

Can you screenshot your input configurations? Did you have to configure the input tool before connecting the file? Or vise versa?

Luke_C

Hi @mystasz

Here's the workflow. I tried 2 things:

Dragging the xls file onto the canvas
Configuring from scratch (new input tool > navigate to file > configure input)

New Workflow7.yxmd

mystasz

I'm not sure why but I'm actually able to input both. The sample files were created off of my original files and then zipped. They input correctly, but the original files that were not zipped do not. Although they are both .xls files. Not sure if zipping has something to do with this nonsense.

Edit: It was actually me saving it as a recognizable file type before providing you with the sample set. I guess this takes us back to the original question, how would I input this type of document without having to manually change it..

Felipe_Ribeir0

Hi @mystasz . I know that this post is old, but i had the same problem and now i have a solution for it. The idea is, python component is converting .xls into .xlsx and using the .xlsx as input.

Convert .xls into .xlsx and parse the input - Alteryx Community

Hope that this is useful for you!

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