Import data in certain Excel columns to Access by VBA?

Question

I'm using Access and need to import data from Excel.

The table has too many columns. What I do now is to find every cell I need, merge them, then insert into Access.

Set file = GetObject(path) 'get excel file
intArrNeedCols = Array(3, 4, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 26) 'the columns I need
For row = 2 To file.Sheets(1).UsedRange.Rows.Count  'loop and collect values of each cell in the target column,the first row is title
    strSQL = "INSERT INTO orderlist VALUES("
    For Each col In intArrNeedCols
        strSQL = strSQL & "'" & file.sheets(1).cells(row, col) & "',"
    Next
    '…… 'other statements,like excute sql statement
Next

That is complex and hard to maintain. Is there an easier way?

Answer 1

Consider directly querying from Excel inside MS Access append query which can also be used in DAO/ADO connections. I/O methods like DoCmd.TransferSpreadsheet do not allow selecting specific columns in spreadsheet unless you create a special Excel tab or temp Access table.

In query below adjust named columns accordingly as well as file/sheet name reference. Escape any reserved words, spaces, and special characters with square brackets or backticks.

INSERT INTO OrderList
SELECT t.[Col1], t.[Col2], t.[Col3] ...
FROM [Excel 12.0 Xml;HDR=Yes;Database=C:\Path\To\Excel\File.xlsx].[SHEETNAME$] t;