Error Inputting .xls files

[mystasz]

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

[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-E...

[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. 

[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:

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