Importing or Linking Data from an Excel Spreadsheet

If you have data in an Excel spreadsheet, you can use the information in an Access database. You can import or link all the data from a spreadsheet or specific data from a named range. When you import or link data, Access normally creates a new table for the information. For Excel spreadsheet data, you can also append data to an existing table as long as the table field's and spreadsheet column headings match. After you import or link data, you should check to make sure Access assigned the appropriate data type to the imported fields.

Import or Link Data from an Excel Spreadsheet

Open the database in which you want to import or link data.

Click the File menu, point to Get External Data, and then click Import or Link Tables.

Click the Files Of Type list arrow, and then click Microsoft Excel.

Locate and select the spreadsheet from which you want data.

Click Import or Link.

Follow the wizard instructions; some of the requested information includes:

• A worksheet or named range

• First row column heading

• A new or existing table

• Field information

• Primary key

• Table name

When you're done, click Finish.