import excel: errors when importing xlsx files in Stata 15.1

[paulvonhippel]

I recently upgraded to Stata 15.1. In my previous versions, I was able to run "import excel" on xlsx files without error, but now I always get errors, even when running code that ran under previous versions. I can post an example, but let me start by asking whether there are any known bugs or backward compatibility issues with "import excel".

[paulvonhippel]

Here's an example. The following code --

. import excel "State_PE_mandates, long format, v4.xlsx", sheet("PE_Physical Activity") cellrange(A3:Q113) firstrow

-- when run on the attached xlsx file, returns the following errors:

_xlshreadstringcolforce(): 3253 nonreal found where real required
import_excel_get_first_row(): - function returned error
import_excel_load_file(): - function returned error
import_excel_import_file(): - function returned error
<istmt>: - function returned error
r(3253);

Before getting too into the details of this particular xlsx file, I should say that the same code ran on the same file in a previous version of Stata (13 or 14). And I should say that in Stata 15.1 I am getting errors every time I run "import excel" on any xlsx file.

[Kevin Crow (StataCorp)]

I could not reproduce your error. Can I see the output from the about command?

. about

Stata/MP 15.1 for Windows (64-bit x86-64)
Revision 18 Apr 2018
Copyright 1985-2017 StataCorp LLC

Total physical memory:    66244972 KB
Available physical memory: 59629724 KB

Unlimited-user 8-core Stata compute server perpetual license:
       Serial number:  1
         Licensed to:  Kevin Crow
                       StataCorp

. import excel "State_PE_mandates, long format, v4.xlsx", sheet("PE_Physical Activity") cellrange(A3:Q113) firstrow

You should update Stata. If that does not work, you might try running the Stata's Installation Qualification Tool on your install.

https://www.stata.com/support/instal...qualification/

[Clara Berestycki]

Hello I have the same problem with the same error message on Stata/IC 15.1. I cannot update my version. Any thing else I can do to get my database on excel?

[Clara Berestycki]

My code is as follows: import excel using FORSTATA.xlsx, sheet("for_stata") cellrange(a1) firstrow clear
_xlshreadstringcolforce(): 3253 nonreal found where real required
import_excel_get_first_row(): - function returned error
import_excel_load_file(): - function returned error
import_excel_import_file(): - function returned error
<istmt>: - function returned error