xlsx could not be loaded

[Lorens Elvang]

Hi,

When trying to import .xlsx files to .dta files i get following syntax:

file ip1.xlsx could not be loaded
r(603);

When copying the cells of the file I want to import to a new file I have no problems importing the copy. However, as I have approx 800 files i want to import this would be a rather tedious process. As importing the copied data works just fine, I'm thinking my files are corrupted in some way or another... any suggestions? I'd prefer not to convert to .csv files.

Thanks in advance, Lorens

[Lorens Elvang]

I should note that I'm using Stata17

[Jared Greathouse]

I don't understand the problem. Show me the exact syntax you used to import your files.

[Lorens Elvang]

Yep, here it is:


. import excel using "ip1.xlsx", clear
file ip1.xlsx could not be loaded
r(603);

[Rich Goldstein]

try typing

search r(603)

and see if that discussion helps re: permissions, other users, etc.

[Bert Lloyd]

If you're using Windows you might check that you don't have the file open or Windows doesn't otherwise have the file locked - for example if Dropbox is trying to sync it.

[Lorens Elvang]

I've found the problem and it is unrelated to stata. Thanks for the answers anyways!

[Jared Greathouse]

What was the problem?

[Lorens Elvang]

Hi Jared,

I had exported the aforementioned datasets from the online database Orbis. Apparently, when 'dragging' the files to my desktop from downloads this didn't save the files locally on my mac. Hence, i had to open each document and press save.