Alteryx error: “shared strings root=x:sst”

[PDempsey]

When I import an Excel file in to Alteryx I get an error: “shared strings root=x:sst” and Alteryx cannot read the file.

I can work around this by manually opening and saving the excel before importing it into Alteryx but this is not ideal, especially considering the automation implications.

I believe this may be happening because the XLSX generated by the source of the report has a prefix “x:” in all the tags in the Shared String XML embedded in Excel. See: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/office/open-xml/working-with-the-shared-string-table 

Essentially, it would appear Alteryx is not able to read generated Excel sheets which has the prefix "x:" (e.g. from a bot). The second file which has been opened and saved in Excel manually can be read by Alteryx correctly.

Example of file as exported from ”BOT”:

How the same file looks once it is manually opened and saved:

Ideally Alteryx would read the file as is, i.e. with the "X:SST" tag seen above as having to manually open and save the excel before it can be read is rather clunky.

Thanks!

[Denisa_Grecu]

Hello. I am encountering the same issue, but I am trying to automate this on a daily basis. I cannot open and save the files each time. Any other way that could be solved?

[jdinsmore]

Agreed with Denisa_Grecu and PDempsey, having to open and save the files each time severely hinders automation capabilities. Is it possible to have Alteryx read the file as is with the "X:SST" tag?

[Denisa_Grecu]

Hello @jdinsmore . Meanwhile I had to build a PowerShell code that opens - saves - closes the file which is run prior the Alteryx workflow through a CTRL-M command. I am not sure if you still need this solution. 

[jsun_06]

If you are generating the .xlsx file from UiPath (rpa bot) then use the Excel activities (Excel Process Scope, Use Excel File, Save Excel File As) instead of read range/write range activities.

[PDempsey]

@jsun06 could you explain a bit further please?

[jsun_06]

@PDempsey Yes, if you're using UiPath (RPA) to create the .xlsx file dependency for an Alteryx workflow use the Excel activities package (activities listed above) to create/generate the .xlsx file. Do not use the Read Range/Write Range workbook type activities.